PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           20 April 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000036242

	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.  

	Mrs. Joyce A. Hughes		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Walter T. Morrison		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger Able		Member	
	Ms. Margaret V. Thompson		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 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

3.  The applicant states in effect, that he was awarded the CIB but it does not
appear in block 24 of his DD Form 214.  He submits a copy of his Vietnam Combat Certificate to support his claim.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 
13 February 1967, for a period of 2 years.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B40 Light Weapons Infantryman.

5.  On 10 July 1967, the applicant was assigned to Vietnam with Company A, 
2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.  He departed Vietnam on 
9 July 1968.

6.  On 12 February 1969, the applicant was released from active duty and was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve.  He Completed 2 years of creditable active service.  His DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 1960, the Air Medal, the Sharpshooter Badge (M-14), the Marksman Badge (M-16), the 1st Class Gunner Badge, the Bronze Star Medal and the Overseas Service Bars (2).

7.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows that he was awarded the CIB.  The applicant provides a copy of his Vietnam Combat Certificate from the 1st Cavalry Division for his participation in the Vietnam Combat Operations.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to Army infantry or special forces officers in the grade of colonel or below, or to Army enlisted soldiers or warrant officers with an infantry or special forces military occupational specialty who, subsequent to 
6 December 1941, satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger or special forces unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat.  Battle participation credit alone is not sufficient.  The unit must have been in active ground combat with the enemy during the period.

9.  It also provides for the award of the Good Conduct Medal is awarded for each 
3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal Military service completed on or after 27 August 1940 and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year.  At the time, a soldier’s conduct and efficiency rating must have been rated as “excellent” for the entire period of qualifying service.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant received the required training and was awarded the infantryman MOS.  He served in an infantry unit that was engaged in combat operations during the Vietnam War from 10 July 1967 to 
9 July 1968.  Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, he was entitled to the CIB award.

2.  The available records to the Board indicated that the applicant met the regulatory requirements and was eligible to receive the Army Good Conduct Medal (GCM) for the period of 13 February 1967 to 12 February 1969.

3.  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: 

     a.  awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal 1st award for the period 13 February 1967 to 12 February 1969; and

     b.  correcting his DD Form 214 to show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Good Conduct Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__wtm___  __ra____  __mvt___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Walter T. Morrison
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000036242	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000420	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0056	
2.	107.0111	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.