PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                 23 June 1999            
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999026826

	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		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Gary F. Geraets		Member	
	Mr. Lester Echols		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 Medical Badge (CMB).

3.  The applicant states that the CMB is not listed on his DD Form 214.  He also states that the battalion clerk did not post his CIB to his personnel records while he was serving in Vietnam.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 12 January 
1962 as a medical specialist.  He served in Korea from 2 June 1962 to 16 June 1963 and was honorably discharged on 27 February 1964 in order to reenlist.  

5.  He reenlisted on 28 February 1964.  He served in Korea from 19 April 1964 to 13 May 1965 and in Vietnam from 25 January 1969 to 22 January 1970 and was honorably discharged on 23 January 1970.

6.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Purple Heart.

7.  A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 6 May 1985, shows the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the Good Conduct Medal with two bronze loops, the 
Valorous Unit Award, the Expert Qualification Badge with Rifle, the Carbine Bar and the Automatic Rifle Bar, 

8.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records which shows he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge.

9.  The applicant’s personnel records show that, while in Vietnam, he served as a medical specialist in military occupational specialty (91B) with Company C, 15th Medical Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division.  There is no evidence this unit was organic to an infantry brigade of regimental or smaller size.

10.  The Board notes the applicant was awarded the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 42, dated 1972.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Medical Badge is awarded to medical department personnel (colonel and below) who are assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size which is engaged in active ground combat.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant’s served as a medical specialist and was assigned to a medical battalion; however, his unit was not organic to an infantry unit engaged in actual ground combat.  Therefore, he is not entitled to the Combat Medical Badge.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation; therefore he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected 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 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:  

MKP____  GFG_____  LE____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Margaret K. Patterson_
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999026826	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990623	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19700123	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 159		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.