PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                19 November 1998              
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AC98-12078

	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 Presidential Unit Citation.

3.  The applicant states he found copy of a recommendation for award of the Presidential Unit Citation for the unit to which he was assigned in Vietnam.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted on 9 August 1967 and completed training as an infantryman in military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B.  He served as a rifleman in an infantry battalion in Vietnam from 15 January 1968 to 10 January 1969.  He was honorably discharged on 13 June 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Presidential Unit Citation as an authorized award.  The Board notes the applicant is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Valorous Unit Award, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation which are not shown on his DD Form 214.

6.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows unit awards.  It does not show award of the Presidential Unit Citation to either unit in which the applicant served in Vietnam.

7.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows the applicant is entitled to the Valorous Unit Award based on Department of the Army General Order Number 43, dated 1970.  He is also entitled award of the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Order Number 21, dated 1969, and to award of the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Order Number 53, dated 1970.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Presidential Unit Citation (known as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966) is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action.  A unit must display such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge 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 Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Notwithstanding the recommendation for award of the Presidential Unit Citation submitted by the applicant, there is no evidence that award was approved or the applicant’s unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

2.  The applicant served as an infantryman in combat in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, 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 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 awarding the individual concerned the Combat Infantryman Badge and correcting his records to show this award and the Valorous Unit Award, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

FNE____  TAP_____  BJE____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-12078/AR1998013771	
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.