PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               19 November 1998              
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AC98-12034

	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. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas A. Pagan		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

3.  The applicant states that orders should be in his records for the awards which are not listed on his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge).

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 1 September 1967 and completed training as a light weapons infantryman.  He completed an assignment in Korea and served in Vietnam from 11 November to 25 December 1968.  He was honorably discharged on 31 August 1970.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the CIB as an authorized award. The Board notes the applicant is entitled to the Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, and Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation which are not shown on his DD Form 214.

6.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (infantryman) upon completion of advanced individual training.  Records show he was assigned to an infantry company in an infantry duty position when he was wounded as a result of hostile action on 6 December 1968. 

7.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 5, dated 1973 and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 51, dated 1971.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the CIB is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS.  They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  The Awards Branch of the Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the CIB was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.

9.  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.  The applicant served in an infantry position in an infantry company during combat in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his records to show this award.

2.  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.

3.  The applicant was evacuated from Vietnam prior to completing six months of service due wounds resulting from hostile action; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

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 awarding the individual concerned the Combat Infantryman Badge and correcting his records to show this award and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

FNE_____  TAP____  BJE____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-12034	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19981119	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.