MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            15 July 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999017080

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration 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. George D. Paxson		Chairperson	
	Ms. Jennifer L. Prater		Member	
	Ms. Debra Williams		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show award of the Vietnam Service Medal.

APPLICANT STATES:  That he served in Thailand from 1 November 1966 to
1 December 1967 with the 9th Logistical Command, 712th Preventive Medicine, 428th Medical Battalion.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), DD Form 214, page six of the SUPTHAI Sentinel dated 26 May 1967, multiple temporary duty orders issued in Thailand in 1967, and an extract from Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), paragraph 2-13. 

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

The applicant enlisted on 30 December 1965 for a period of 3 years.  He served in Thailand as a preventive medicine specialist from 1 November 1966 to
2 December 1967, was honorably discharged on 16 December 1968 and transferred to the Army Reserve.  He was honorably discharged from the Army Reserve on 29 December 1971.   

The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.

There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that he served in Vietnam.  However, his records show that he served in “USARPAC Thailand” [United States Army Pacific Thailand] from 1 November 1966 to 2 December 1967.  The applicant provided copies of temporary duty orders for assignment in Thailand in 1967 to perform entomological surveys and preventive medicine activities. 

Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Service Medal.  This medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after
3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included attachment to or assignment for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.  The regulation also states that members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, or the airspace thereover, during the same period and serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam are also eligible for this award.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The evidence of record shows the applicant served in USARPAC Thailand from 1 November 1966 to 2 December 1967.  
2.  There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he served a period of qualifying service in Vietnam, or that while serving in Thailand he served in direct support of operations in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is not entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal.

3.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

GDP____  JLP_____  DW_____  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999017080	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990715	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19711229	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 Chapter 2	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration of term of service	
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0073	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.