PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                 5 January 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999026857

	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. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Erin J. Olmes		Chairperson	
	Mr. John D. Miller 		Member	
	Mr. James M. Alward		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 National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was in country in Vietnam from December 1962 through January 1964, that he was promoted to private first class and specialist four while he was in Vietnam, and that his military occupational specialty was signal supply and counterinsurgency.  In support of his application, he submitted a letter, dated 25 November 1998, from the U.S. Armed Services Center for Research of Unit Records; a copy of the first page of his DA Form 24 (Service Record), a copy of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record); and a history of the 121st Aviation Company. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 25 April 1962 and reenlisted on 30 June 1962 in the Regular Army for three years.  He completed training as a “Signal Supply and Parts Specialist” and was assigned to Vietnam during the period 17 November 1962 to 7 December 1963 in military occupational specialty of Signal Supply and Parts Specialist in the 257th Signal Detachment.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 29 June 1965.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) with an effective date of 29 June 1965 covered his period of service in Vietnam.  This discharge does not show the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal , the Vietnam Campaign Medal, or the Combat Infantryman Badge as authorized awards.  Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 does show the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal as an authorized award. 

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 through 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 through 14 August 1974, and 2 August 1990 through 30 November 1995.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 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.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), provides, in pertinent part, that the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is authorized for participants in military operations within a specific geographic area during a specified time period.  Paragraph 2-13d specifically provides that individuals qualified for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Vietnam from 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965 (inclusive) shall remain qualified for that medal.  Upon request, a unit personnel officer may award the Vietnam Service Medal in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, but the regulation requires that the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal be removed from the records of the individual.  No person will be entitled to both awards for Vietnam Service.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  This medal was awarded by the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included assignment in Vietnam for 6 months or more and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces.

10.  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. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant served during a period of eligibility for award of the National Defense Service Medal; therefore, he is entitled to this award.

2.  Evidence shows that the applicant received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his service in Vietnam; therefore, he is not authorized award of the Vietnam Service Medal at this time.  The Board notes that the applicant may request award of the Vietnam Service Medal in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his Vietnam service and that the applicant has been notified of his option in this matter. 

3.  The applicant served in Vietnam from 17 November 1962 to 7 December 1963 and the Vietnam Campaign Medal was authorized for award during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1973.  Therefore, he is eligible for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

4.  There is no evidence, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  The applicant was not awarded an infantry military occupational specialty.  He did not serve in an infantry unit or infantry position in combat during his assignment in Vietnam.  Therefore, the applicant was not eligible for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge at the time of his service in Vietnam and there is no basis for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge to him now.  

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 the individual concerned was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

EJO_____  JDM____  JMA____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Erin J. Olmes_________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999026857	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000105	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19650629	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 	
DISCHARGE REASON	ETS	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR SCHNEIDER	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.