PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            10 August 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:    AR2000039656

	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. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Mark D. Manning		Chairperson	
	Mr. John Saputo		Member	
	Ms. Karen A. Heinz		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 award of the “combat medal” (correctly known as the Combat Medical Badge).

3.  The applicant states that he ran a front line aid station in Vietnam with a captain.  He contends that he received the “combat medal”, but his records were never updated when he left the service.  He states that his records should be corrected to show this medal.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge), a letter of commendation, and a memorandum from his commanding officer.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was commissioned as a second lieutenant (2LT) in the U.S. Army Reserve on 21 August 1964.  He was ordered to active duty in October 1964 and served as a field medical assistant in Vietnam from 30 September 1965 through 30 August 1966.  The applicant was honorably discharged from active duty on 8 September 1966.  

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Combat Medical Badge as an authorized award.  The Board notes that the applicant is eligible for award of the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation which are not shown on his discharge document.

6.  The applicant’s personnel records show that he served as a field medical assistant and was assigned to the cavalry squadron of the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam.  There is no evidence that he served in a medical unit organic to an infantry brigade.

7.  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 Presidential Unit Citation for actions during the period June-July 1966 based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 31, dated 1967.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) also shows the applicant is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 21, dated 1969 and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 53, dated 1973.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Medical Badge is awarded to medical department personnel (colonel and below) who are assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size which is engaged in active ground combat.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was assigned as a medical assistant in a cavalry squadron of the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam, not a medical unit organic to an infantry brigade.  Therefore, he is not entitled to award of the Combat Medical Badge.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, 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 DD Form 214 to show these awards.

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

MDM____  JS______  KAH____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Mark D. Manning_______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000039656	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000810	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT IN PART	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0013	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.