PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               27 May 1999              
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AR1998013892

	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. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Edward Williamson		Chairperson	
	Ms. Meta Waller		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		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 correction of his records to show award of the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) and other awards and unit citations to which he is entitled.

3.  The applicant states that he understands that he has been awarded various medals and unit citations as a result of his service, but he has never received them.  He further states that among his other medals and awards he was told that he was supposed to have received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Bronze Star Medal for his actions in the Ia Drang Valley Battle.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted in the Army on 11 December 1963 and completed training as an infantryman in military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B10 (Light Weapons Infantryman).  He served in Vietnam from 15 August 1965 to 4 December 1965 and was honorably discharged from active duty on 9 December 1965.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Bronze Star Medal as authorized awards.  His DD Form 214 does show the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  The Board notes that the applicant is entitled to award of the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star which are not shown on his discharge document.

6.  The applicant was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 40, dated 1967.

7.  The applicant’s personnel records show he held an infantry military occupational specialty (MOS) and served in an infantry unit in combat in Vietnam.

8.  There are no orders in the applicant’s records which show he was awarded 
the Bronze Star Medal.  There is no indication in his personnel records that he was recommended for this award.

9.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 59, dated 1969. 

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Table B-1, shows the applicant is entitled to credit for participation in the Vietnam Defense Campaign (8 March 1965 to 24 December 1965) during his service in Vietnam.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war 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 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation; therefore he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served in an infantry MOS in an infantry unit in combat in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal; therefore, he is not entitled to this award.

4.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

5.  The applicant is entitled to one bronze service star to be worn on his Vietnam Service Medal based on qualifying service in the Vietnam Defense Campaign.

6.  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 the individual concerned was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

EW_____  MW_____  KLW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Edward Williamson_____
		CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998013892	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990527	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.