PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                15 February 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR1999029026

	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. Fred Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Ms. Karol A. Kennedy		Member	
	Mr. Roger Able		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 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and all awards and decorations to which he is entitled.

3.  The applicant states that his DD Form 214 does not show the CIB and all awards and decorations to which he is entitled.  He also states that he was wounded in action between 27 and 28 July 1967.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 5 October 1966 as a light weapons infantry (11B).  He served in Vietnam from 30 April 1967 to 10 July 1967 and was placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL) 
on 31 January 1968.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Purple Heart.
His discharge document does not show the CIB as an authorized award.

6.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records, which show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company in combat during his service in Vietnam.

7.  Headquarters, The Student Brigade, United States Army Infantry School Special Orders Number 69, dated 22 March 1967 awarded the applicant the Parachutist Badge.

8.  Headquarters, 3rd Training Brigade (INF), USATC Special Orders 
Number 18, dated 30 January 1967 awarded the applicant the Expert Badge with Machine Gun Bar (M60).

9.  Headquarters, 3rd Training Brigade (INF), USATC Special Orders 
Number 11, dated 17 January 1967 awarded the applicant the Sharpshooter Badge with Auto Rifle Bar (M16).

10.  Headquarters, Fort Polk Special Orders Number 304, dated 24 November 1966 awarded the applicant the Marksman Badge (M14).

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 unit, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 5 May 1965 to 4 May 1967 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 48, dated 1968.  

12.  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 applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Order Number 51, dated 1971.

13.  The Board notes that the applicant is entitled to the Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, which is not shown on his discharge document. The applicant’s personnel records show that he served in Vietnam less than 
6 months and was evacuated due to wounds resulting from hostile action.

14.  There is no evidence the applicant received the first award of the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence the applicant was disqualified by his chain of command from receiving the Good Conduct Medal.  His records do not contain any adverse information and he received conduct and efficiency ratings of “excellent” throughout his service.

15.  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.

16.  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. 
Individuals who had qualified for award of the Vietnam Service Medal or the
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and were evacuated prior to completing six months of service due to wounds resulting from hostile action were entitled to award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

17.  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.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served as light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company in combat while serving in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show that he was awarded the CIB.

2.  Evidence of record shows that he was awarded the Parachutist Badge, the 
Expert Badge with Machine Gun Bar (M60), Sharpshooter Badge with Auto Rifle Bar (M16) and the Marksman Badge (M14).  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

3.  Evidence of record shows the applicant is entitled to award the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

4.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant did not serve 6 months in Vietnam and was evacuated due to wounds resulting from hostile action.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device.

5.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal based on completion of qualifying service from 5 October 1966 to 31 January 1968 
ending with termination of a period of Federal military service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

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:

a.  by showing in item 24 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 the he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge;

b.  by showing in item 24 of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the Parachutist Badge, the Expert Badge with Machine Gun Bar (M60), the Sharpshooter Badge with Auto Rifle Bar (M16), the Marksman Badge (M14);

c.  by showing in item 24 of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device; and

d.  by showing in item 24 of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 5 October 1966 through 31 January 1968.

BOARD VOTE:  

FE_____  KAK_____  RA______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Fred Eichorn__________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999029026	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000215	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19680131	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .635-40	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  157		
2.  46		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.