PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                 9 September 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999016996

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analys	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Erin J. Olmes		Chairperson	
	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright		Member	
	Mr. Christopher J. Prosser		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, award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Air Medal (AM) and all awards and decorations to which he is entitled.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Air Medal.  In support of his application he submits a letter from his former commander and a copy of an award certificate for the Air Medal.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show he enlisted on 25 February 1969 as a light weapons infantryman.  He served in Vietnam from 26 May 1970 to 9 April 1971 and was honorably discharged on 1 November 1971.

5.  His discharge document does not show the CIB and AM as authorized awards.

6.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records, which show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  Records show he served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company during his service in
Vietnam.

7.  The applicant provides a copy of an award certificate, which shows that he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period June 1970 to December 1970 while serving in the Republic of Vietnam.

8.  The Board notes that the applicant was awarded the Valorous Unit Award by Department of the Army General Orders 43, dated 1972 and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Orders 42, dated 1972, which are not shown on his discharge document.

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.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service while participating in aerial flight.  This award is primarily intended for personnel on flying status, but may also be awarded to those personnel whose combat duties require them to fly, for example personnel in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company while serving in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the CIB.

2.  There are no orders available to the Board which authorize award of the 
Air Medal to the applicant.  However, the applicant has provided evidence that he was awarded the Air Medal and the Board has determined that this evidence is sufficient as a basis for correction of his records to show this award.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Air Medal.

3.  The applicant was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, 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 in item 24 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Medal, the Valorous Unit Award and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

EJO____  INW_____  CJP_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Erin J. Olmes_________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999016996	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990909	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19711101	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  157		
2.  64		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.