PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            28 October 1998
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-08288

	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	
	Mr. W. E. Schnupp .		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. JoAnn H. Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. Curtis W. Barbee, Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor		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 that his military records be corrected to show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) for service in Vietnam.

3.  The applicant states that he was given a short notice departure from Vietnam. As he was leaving his unit gave him a copy of his unit commander’s request to higher headquarters that he be awarded the BSM for service during the period   9 August 1970 to 2 May 1971.  To date, that medal has never been awarded to him. In support of his request, he has included a copy of the unit letter requesting that he be awarded the BSM.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 23 June 1969 and served 9 months and 10 days in Vietnam as a field wireman with the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile).  He was honorably discharge at the completion of his term of service on 7 May 1971 in the grade of sergeant.

5.  His DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) show that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar and the Marksman Badge with rifle bar.  Additionally, the Army Reserve Personnel Command made an administrative determination that he was also entitled to the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.  (There is, however, no evidence in the record that he has been provided with a DD Form 215 (Correction of DD Form 214) showing all of the awards to which he is entitled.

6.  The request for award of the BSM submitted by his unit commander recommends that the applicant be awarded the BSM because of his outstanding professionalism and competence during the period he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company from 9 August 1970 to 2 May 1971.  There is no reason to believe that this request is not legitimate.  According to his records, the applicant was a member of that unit at that time.  Further, the records shows that he was apparently an outstanding soldier and also the recipient of the ARCOM during his tour of duty in Vietnam.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Documentary evidence suggests that the applicant is entitled to the BSM for his service in Vietnam.

2.  He should also have the awards he has received since his separation from the service consolidated on a DD Form 215.

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 by:

	a.  showing that the individual concerned was awarded the BSM for meritorious service in Vietnam during the period 9 August 1970 to 2 May 1971; and

	b.  issuing to him a DD Form 215 reflecting all of the awards to which he is entitled.

BOARD VOTE:  

JHL_____  CWB____  RVO ___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		JoAnn H. Langston____
		        CHAIRPERSON