PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            19 November 1998
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-12086

	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	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas A. Pagan		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis 		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, correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Purple Heart and completion of the Jungle Operations Training Course. 

3.  The applicant states that these items were omitted from his DD Form 214.  In support of his application, he submits copies of DA Forms 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), an award certificate and a completion certificate.

4.  The applicant’s military records were destroyed or lost during the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show the applicant enlisted on 27 June 1969.  He trained as a light weapons infantryman and was honorably discharged on 26 February 1970.  He immediately reenlisted and served in Vietnam from
27 February 1970 to 17 November 1970 and was separated with an honorable discharge on 22 November 1972.  

5.  The applicant’s DD Forms 214 do not show the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars or the Purple Heart as authorized awards.  The Board notes the DD Forms 214 show the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  

6.   DA Form 1577, dated 29 November 1990, shows the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined that the applicant was entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars.

7.  The applicant submitted a copy of an award certificate showing he received the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 26 January 1970 in the Republic of Vietnam.

8.  The applicant completed the Jungle Operations Training Course in December 1969, as evidenced by the certificate of completion he provided with his application.

9.  Army Regulation 635-5 establishes the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part it states that item 25 (Education and Training Completed) will list formal in service training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed.  This information is to assist the soldier after separation in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills are not listed.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and the Purple Heart; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant completed the Jungle Operations Training Course in December 1969. 

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

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:

      a.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and the Purple Heart; and

      b. by showing in item 25 (Education and Training Completed) of the DD Form 214 with a separation date of 26 February 1970 “Jungle Operations Training Course, December 1969”.

BOARD VOTE:  

FNE_____  TAP____  BJE_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON