PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            22 July 1999     
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999020656

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas N. Kuhn		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		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 Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Presidential Unit Citation.

3.  The applicant states that he was supposed to be awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his service in Vietnam, however, he never received the medal.  He also contends that he served as a door gunner with the 3rd of 498th Air Ambulance from 1966 to 1967.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show he enlisted on 27 January 1966 for a period of 3 years.  He served as a unit mail clerk in Vietnam from 21 December 1966 through 20 December 1967 and voluntarily participated in helicopter missions.  He was separated with an honorable discharge on 24 January 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge), which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation or the Presidential Unit Citation as authorized awards.   

6.  Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation or the Presidential Unit Citation.  

7.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records which shows he was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

8.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s records that he served in a qualifying period of service for award of the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was assigned to the 463d Supply Company during his assignment in Vietnam (21 December 1966 until 20 December 1967).  

9.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 8, dated 1974.

10.  The applicant was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation by the Department of the Army General Order Number 28, dated 1969.

11.  There is no evidence that the applicant was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) indicates that the applicant’s unit was not awarded the Presidential Unit Citation during the time he was assigned to it.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.   Recommendations must be made within 2 years of the event or period of service and the award must be made within 3 years.  

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to all personnel assigned to the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Indo-China, during August and September 1954.

14.  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.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Although the applicant contends that he was supposed to be awarded the Bronze Star Medal, there is no evidence available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was recommended for or received the Bronze Star Medal.  Therefore, he is not entitled to this award. 

2.  The applicant is not eligible for award of the Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation because he was not assigned to the Military Assistance Advisory Group, Indo-China, during August and September 1954.

3.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show these awards.   

4.  The applicant’s unit was not awarded the Presidential Unit Citation while he was assigned to it; therefore, he is not entitled to this award.

5.  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 showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF____  TNK_____  RJW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Calvin M. Fowler______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999020656	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990722	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19690124	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200   	
DISCHARGE REASON	ETS	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0014	
2.	107.0093	
3.	107.0094	
4.	107.0034	
5.	107.0031	
6.