PROCEEDINGS

IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            17 May 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000035373

	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. Carl W.S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Fred Eichorn		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		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 that his records be corrected to reflect award of the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  Records indicate the applicant entered active duty on 30 April 1966 and was assigned to Vietnam in February 1968.  He was assigned as a rifleman and squad leader with Company C, 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.  In November 1968 he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement during the period February 1968 through November 1968.  In January 1969 he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during the period February 1968 to February 1969.  The 1st Cavalry Division issued orders confirming both awards.

4.  He returned to the United States in February 1969 and on 19 February 1969 was honorably discharged from active duty in the grade of E-5.  His award of the Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal were omitted from his separation report.

5.  There are basically three requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.  The soldier must be an infantryman (11 series specialty), assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must have actively participated in such ground combat.  As a matter of historical information, on 1 July 1965, the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) was officially activated.  It was made up of resources of the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) and brought to full strength by transfer of specialized elements of the 2nd Infantry Division.  As a part of this reorganization, the 1st Battalion (Airborne) 187th Infantry was redesignated the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 12th Cavalry Regiment and the 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry was redesignated the 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment.  Based on the 12th Cavalry’s infantry heritage members of its organization were traditionally awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge during the Vietnam era.

6.  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.  Current practice requires that the commander provide written notice of nonfavorable consideration and permits the individual to respond.

7.  The applicant's conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his military service were excellent.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was awarded a Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal as a result of his service in Vietnam and his records should be corrected accordingly.

2.  The evidence also indicates the applicant is entitled to a Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant completed a qualifying period of service for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal on 19 February 1969 when he was honorably discharged from active duty.  There is no evidence in the applicant's official military personnel file that his commander ever disqualified him for award of the Good Conduct Medal.  As such the Board concludes the applicant should be awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 30 April 1966 through 19 February 1969.

4.  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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Air Medal; 

b.  by awarding him a Combat Infantryman Badge; and

c.  by awarding the him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 
30 April 1966 through 19 February 1969.

BOARD VOTE:  

__cmf___  _____fe_  ___rjw__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000035373	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000517	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	Grant	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.