PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                2 February 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999027764

	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:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		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 correction of his records to show two awards of the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, and a second Bronze Star Medal for achievement.

3.  The applicant states that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) is not complete. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 15 September 1966 and completed training as an armor crewman.  He served in Vietnam from 28 August 1967 to 5 August 1968.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 8 August 1968.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 only shows one award of the Purple Heart and one award of the Bronze Star Medal as authorized awards.

6.  The applicant was awarded the Purple Heart by Americal Division General Orders Number 1547, dated 6 December 1967, for wounds sustained on 25 November 1967.  

7.  The applicant was awarded a second Purple Heart by 1st Infantry Division General Orders Number 1162, dated 13 February 1968, for wounds sustained on 31 January 1968.

8.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device by 1st Infantry Division General Orders Number 6062, dated 27 June 1968, for heroism on 31 January 1968.

9.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service for the period January 1968 to July 1968 by 1st Infantry Division General Orders Number 8500, dated 15 August 1968.

10.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence the applicant was disqualified by his unit commander for award of the Good Conduct Medal.  Records show the applicant’s conduct and efficiency were rated as “excellent” throughout his service and there is no indication of indiscipline in his records.

11.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam.  This document shows the 1st Squadron of the 1st Cavalry, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the Valorous Unit Award for actions during the period 15 to 31 October 1967 based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 39, dated 1970.  This document shows the 1st Squadron of the 4th Cavalry, to which the applicant was assigned at the time, was cited for award of the Valorous Unit Award for actions during the period 31 January to 31 May 1968 based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 31, dated 1969.

12.  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.

13.  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 Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 53, dated 1970.

14.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  

15.  The bronze oak leaf cluster is awarded to denote the second and succeeding awards of certain decorations, among which are the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Valorous Unit Award.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Orders show the applicant was wounded twice as a result of hostile action in Vietnam; therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show the Purple Heart First Oak Leaf Cluster.

2.  The applicant received two awards of the Bronze Star Medal, one of which was with “V” Device.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device and with First Oak Leaf Cluster.

3.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 15 September 1966 through 8 August 1968 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

4.  Orders show the applicant is entitled to two awards of the Valorous Unit Award; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Valorous Unit Award with One Oak Leaf Cluster. 

5.  Orders show 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.

6.  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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart First Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device and with First Oak Leaf Cluster, the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 15 September 1966 through 8 August 1968, the Valorous Unit Award with One Oak Leaf Cluster, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF____  JEA_____  LE______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Calvin M. Fowler______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999027764	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000202	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19680808	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON	OVERSEAS RETURNEE	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR SCHNEIDER	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.