PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                16 February 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999027720

	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.  

	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		Member	
	Ms. Meta Waller		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 Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Purple Heart second award (correctly known as the Purple Heart with First Oak Leaf Cluster), the Air Medal second award (correctly known as the Air Medal with Numeral “2”), the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) second award (correctly known as the Army Commendation Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that the aforementioned awards are 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 orders awarding him the Purple Heart, the Purple Heart with First Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device, the Army Commendation Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster and the Good Conduct Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on 13 June 1967 as a light weapons infantryman (11B).  He served in Vietnam from 19 November 1967 to 15 November 1968 and was honorably discharged on 12 June 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart, two Overseas Service Bars, the Bronze Star Medal and the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge (M14).

6.  His discharge document does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart with First Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device First Oak Leaf Cluster or the Good Conduct Medal as authorized awards.

7.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records, which show that he 
was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  Records show he served as light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company in combat during his service in Vietnam.

8.  The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division General Orders Number 8042, dated 7 August 1968, which shows that he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 27 January 1968.

9.  The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division General Orders 8044, dated 7 August 1968, which shows that he was awarded the Purple Heart with First Oak Leaf Cluster for wounds received in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 17 March 1968.

10.  The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division General Orders Number 11075, dated 18 October 1968, which shows that he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight from 2 December 1967 to 22 April 1968.

11.  There is no indication in the applicant’s service personnel records that show he was recommended for or awarded the second award of the Air Medal (correctly known as the Air Medal with Numeral “2”).

12.  The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division General Orders Number 6215, dated 29 June 1968, which shows that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 18 March 1968.

13.  The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division General Orders Number 10318, dated 28 September 1968, which shows that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal First Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious service from November 1967 to September 1968.

14.  The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, 3d Basic Combat Training Brigade General Orders Number 14, dated 14 May 1969, which shows he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal (First Award) for the period 13 June 1967 to 12 June 1969.

15.  The Board notes that his DD Form 214 shows the Bronze Star Medal.  However, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device by Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division General Orders Number 3380, dated 12 April 1968.

16.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 21, dated 1969.

17.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) also shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Order Number 53, dated 1970.

18.  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.  The Awards Branch of the Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.

19.  The bronze oak leaf cluster is awarded to denote the second and succeeding awards of certain decorations, among which is the Bronze Star Medal.

20.  The bronze “V” device indicates acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company in combat while serving in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his records to show the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded two awards of the Purple Heart.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the
Purple Heart with First Oak Leaf Cluster.

3.  There is no evidence or record, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was recommended or awarded two awards of the Air Medal (correctly known as the Air Medal with Numeral “2”).  Therefore, he is entitled to
correction of his records to show only one award of the Air Medal.

4.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded two awards of the Army Commendation Medal and that the “V” Device was omitted from applicant’s first award of the Army Commendation Medal.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device First Oak Leaf Cluster.

5.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the Good Conduct Medal (First Award) for the period for the period 13 June 1967 to 12 June 1969.
Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

6.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device.  Evidence of record also shows that the “V” Device was omitted from the applicant’s DD Form 214.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device instead of the Bronze Star Medal.

7.  The applicant was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

8.  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:

a.  by showing in item 24 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 that the individual concerned was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart (First Oak Leaf Cluster), the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device (First Oak Leaf Cluster), the Good Conduct Medal (First Award) for the period 13 June 1967 to 12 June 1969, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation; and 

b.  by showing in item 24 of his DD Form 214 that the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device instead of the Bronze Star Medal. 

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

BOARD VOTE:  

AAO____  CLG____  MW_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Arthur A. Omartian____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999027720	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000216	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19690612	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  157		
2.  61		
3.  64		
4.  66		
5.  102		
6.