PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                 6 January 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:         AR1999027344

	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.  

			Director	
	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Edward Williamson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Member	
	Mr. Allen L. Raub		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 Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that the Vietnam Service Medal is not listed on his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and a copy of his DA Form 24 (Service Record).

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on 11 January 1962 as a communications center specialist.  He served in Vietnam from 27 May 1963 to 5 May 1964 and was honorably discharged on 
8 January 1965.  

5.  His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Rifle) and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  His discharge document does not show the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.

6.  Section 5 (Service Outside Continental United States) of the applicant’s
DA Form 24 shows that the applicant arrived in Vietnam on 27 May 1963 and departed on Vietnam on 5 May 1964. 

7.  A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 3 May 1999,
shows the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the National Defense Service Medal.

8.  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.

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 
direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant completed a period of qualifying service for award of the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device.
Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

2.  The applicant was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.  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:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing in item 26 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device and the National Defense Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

EW______  SK_____  ALR____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Edward Williamson_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999027344	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000106	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19650108	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT 	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  119		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.