PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           7 October 1998                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-07141

	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. Samuel A. Crumpler		Chairperson	
	Mr. James E. Vick		Member	
	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		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 military records to show award of the Air Medal.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, he was awarded the Air Medal on 24 April 1970.  In support of his application, he submits orders announcing award of the Air Medal.  The applicant also submits a letter of support for a fellow soldier who petitioned the Board for an award upgrade.  The Board notes the fellow soldier’s case received a favorable determination by the Board and it will not be discussed further in the applicant’s proceedings. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on
27 September 1968.  He served as a light weapons infantryman in Vietnam from 3 November 1969 through 15 December 1970 and was separated with an honorable discharge on 20 August 1971.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Air Medal as an authorized award.  The Board notes the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation which are also not shown on his DD Form 214.  

6.  Headquarters, 173D Airborne Brigade General Orders 946, dated 24 April 1970, show the applicant was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Republic of Vietnam from
4 November 1969 to 10 April 1970.  

7.  Headquarters, 173D Airborne Brigade Special Orders 213, dated 1 August 1970, show the applicant was awarded the CIB.

8.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 51, dated 1971.

9.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 5, dated 1973.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Air Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this medal. 

2.  The applicant was awarded the CIB; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this award.
3.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class 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:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Air Medal, the CIB, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

_SAC___  JEV_____  LLS_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON