PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               13 May 1999               
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR1998013901

	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. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. Samuel Calderon		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 DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (RVNCM) with Device (1960) and the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

3.  The applicant states that he was authorized these medals, but they were never issued.  In support of his application, he submits photocopies of special orders for award of the CIB and his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record).

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 23 October 1968, completed infantry training and served in Vietnam.  He later served in Germany and was honorably discharged from active duty on 29 September 1970.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) or the Combat Infantryman Badge as authorized awards.  The Board notes that the applicant was entitled to award of the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation which is not shown on his discharge document.

6.  The applicant’s personnel records show that he served in Vietnam during the period 11 April 1969 to 16 August 1969.  

7.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that he was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960).  His records show that he was evacuated from Vietnam prior to completing six months of qualifying service for award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), but not as a result of wounds resulting from hostile action.

8.  The applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge by 101st Airborne Division Special Orders Number 196, dated 15 July 1969.

9.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 8, dated 1974.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  This medal was awarded by the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included assignment in Vietnam for 6 months or more and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces. Individuals who had qualified for award of the Vietnam Service Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and were evacuated prior to completing six months of service due wounds resulting from hostile action were entitled to award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Based on completion of qualifying service in Vietnam from 11 April 1969 to 16 August 1969, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show award of the Vietnam Service Medal.

2.  There is no evidence of record which shows the applicant served a period of qualifying service for award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960); therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

3.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation; therefore he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

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 the individual concerned was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  SC______  KLW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
		CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998013901	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990513	
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.