PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           29 August 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000036194

	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	
	Mrs. Joyce A. Hughes		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John D. Miller		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger Able		Member	
	Mr. Charles Gainor		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 in effect, that his Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge (DD Form 214) be corrected to show his 
Social Security Number (SSN) as --2 -- ---- instead of -- 3 -- ----.  He also request that his DD Form 214 be corrected to show that he was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/bronze service star, the Air Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation and the Ranger Tab (insignia).

3.  The applicant states in effect, that he served in the 1/16th Rangers Reconnaissance, 1st Infantry Division.  His unit participated in two major campaigns and received two unit citations.  He also participated in 22 air assaults in less than one month.

4.  On 2 August 1966, the applicant was inducted into the Regular Army for
2 years.  His enlistment contract and other documents show his SSN as 
--2 -- ----.  He completed the required training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).  His record also shows that the applicant’s conduct and efficiency ratings were excellent for the entire period of service.

5.  He was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry 
Division in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) from June to October 1967.  His record also shows that he was wounded while serving in Vietnam.  

6.  On 16 May 1968, the applicant was honorably discharged from active duty in pay grade E-4.  He completed 1 year, 9 months and 15 days of creditable active service.  His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Republic of Vietnam
Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Sharpshooter
Badge (Rifle).  However, it does not show that he was awarded the Air Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM) or that he was awarded the Ranger Tab (insignia).

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the United States Army, distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.  Awards may be made to recognize a single act of merit or heroism or for meritorious service during a period of conflict.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides, in pertinent part, that the AGCM 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 terminations of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the AGCM, disqualification must be justified.

9.   Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division was awarded the RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm for the period 12 July 1965 to 16 October 1968 and the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal for the period October 1965 to 7 April 1970.  It does not show that the unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

10.  Army Regulation 670-1 prescribes the authorization for wear of uniforms and prescribes the awards, insignia and accouterments authorized to wear on the uniform.  In pertinent part, it states that a soldier may wear a unit award permanently if the individual was assigned to and present for duty with the unit any time during the period cited.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record clearly shows the applicant’s SSN as 
--2 -- ----.

2.  The records available to the Board indicated that the applicant met the regulatory requirements and was eligible to receive the AGCM for the period of 
2 August 1966 to 16 May 1968.

3.  The evidence of record also shows the applicant served in the RVN from June to October 1967, he participated in one Vietnam campaign (Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase III) which was from 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968.  Therefore, the applicant was entitled to wear the bronze service star with his Vietnam Campaign Medal. 

4.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s record, which indicated that he met the requirement to receive the Air Medal award, nor is there any evidence that he completed the Rangers course and was awarded the Ranger Tab.

5.  The evidence of record also shows that the applicant was assigned to the 
1st Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division during the time that the unit was awarded the RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm and the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal.  It does not show that the applicant’s unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

6.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by 

     a.  correcting the applicant’s DD Form 214 to show his SSN as --2 -- ----.

     b.  adding the AGCM, the RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm, the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal and the bronze service star to the RVN Campaign Medal to the applicant’s DD Form 214.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__JDM__  __RA___  __CG____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			John D. Miller
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000036194	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000829	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.0900	
2.	107.0018	
3.	107.0031	
4.	107.0123	
5.	107.0088	
6.