PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               22 October 1998                
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AC98-06858

	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:

	Ms. June Hajjar		Chairperson	
	Mr. Fred K. McCoy		Member	
	Ms. Shirley L. Powell		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 Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The applicant states he was on patrol with this unit just a couple of days and was asked to go out on a long patrol (LP) to ”rest” them.  He states that he often worked as a “grunt” as a medic and he carried extra arms.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 23 December 1969, completed training as a medical corpsman and served in Vietnam from 
19 December 1970 to 7 April 1971.  He was retired from active duty on 
17 January 1972 by reason of physical disability. 

5.  The applicant has two DD Forms 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge).  These discharge documents do not show the Bronze Star Medal as an authorized award.  The Board notes that the applicant was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal which are not shown on his discharge documents.

6.  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.

7.  A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 21 January 1988, in the applicant’s personnel records shows he was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal.  

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

9.  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.  Recommendations must be made within 2 years of the event or period of service and the award must be made within 3 years.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  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.

2.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only 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 Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__JH____  ___FKM_  _SLP_  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON