PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:        24 November 1998      
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-11939

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Mr. Kenneth Aucock		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. George D. Paxson		Chairperson	
	Ms. Celia L. Adolphi		Member	
	Mr. Robert W. Garrett		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, 
	if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests, in effect, that his record show that he received two awards of the Purple Heart; and that he received the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, and other awards.

3.  The applicant states that he was wounded in either November or December 1967 in the left leg in the Mekong Delta region and again on 10 January 1968 in the nose in the Mekong Delta.  His DD Form 214 does not show award of the aforementioned medals. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 10 April 1967, trained as an infantryman at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and in September 1967 was assigned as a rifleman to an infantry battalion in Vietnam.  In October 1968 he returned to the United States at the Presidio of San Francisco.  He was released from active duty with an honorable character of service with the rank of Specialist Four E-4 on 9 April 1969.  His DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows only award of the National Defense Service Medal.  

5.  A 22 May 1967 Fort Bragg, North Carolina order shows that the applicant was awarded the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar.  A 14 July 1967 Fort Jackson, South Carolina order shows that he was awarded the Sharpshooter Badge with automatic rifle bar and a 15 July 1967 order shows award of the Sharpshooter Badge with machine gun bar.  

6.  On 8 November 1967 Headquarters 9th Infantry Division awarded the applicant the CIB.  He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 15 September 1967, and again for wounds received in action on 
10 January 1968. 

7.  On 23 January 1969 Headquarters 40th Artillery Brigade awarded the applicant the Expert Badge with carbine bar; and on 3 April 1969 he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.

8.  The applicant served in four campaigns in Vietnam during the period September 1967 to October 1968, and was assigned to the 3d Battalion, 
60th Infantry during the period for which that unit received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  He was later assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Band, 
9th Infantry Division Support Command during the period for which that unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation. 

9.  The applicant’s record neither reflects award of the Army Commendation Medal nor a recommendation for that award.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22  provides, in pertinent part, that the Army Commendation Medal is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant received two awards of the Purple Heart.  He received the CIB, Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with rifle bar, automatic rifle bar, and machine gun bar; and the Expert Qualification Badge with carbine bar.  Additionally, he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.  All of these awards should be reflected on his DD Form 214.

2.   The applicant served in four campaigns in Vietnam and should be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, one for each campaign.  That medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal should also be reflected on his DD Form 214. 

3.  He was assigned to units during the period in which they were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.  Those awards should be shown on his DD Form 214.

4.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with rifle bar, automatic rifle bar and machine gun bar; and the Expert Qualification Badge with carbine bar.  His records should also show award of the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. 

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied 

BOARD VOTE:  

___gdp__  __cla___  __rwg___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

		INDEX

CASE ID	AC	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	YYYYMMDD	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(NC, GRANT , DENY, GRANT PLUS)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.