PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           21 September 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000041170

	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
Mr. David H. Keller		Director
Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. JoAnn H. Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		Member	
	Mr. Eric N. Andersen		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 award of the Purple Heart (PH) and the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

3.  The applicant states that he was involved in combat and wounded.  His service medical records should verify the wounds he received, and should have led to the award of these two medals.  In support of his request, he submits a copy of his "Landing Zone English" identification card and his patient’s bed card.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 27 April 1970.  After training, he was assigned to Vietnam where he served in combat with the 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry, as an infantry indirect fire crewman.  His time served in Vietnam is recorded as 4 December 1970 to 23 August 1971.  He received exclusively excellent ratings for conduct and efficiency during his term of service.

5.  On 11 July 1971, General Orders 1604 were published by Headquarters, 173d Airborne Brigade, awarding the applicant the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.

6.  On 7 August 1971, General Orders 2032 were published by Headquarters, 173d Airborne Brigade, awarding the applicant the Purple Heart for wounds received in connection with military operations on 2 August 1971 against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam.

7.  On 11 August 1971, the applicant was medically evacuated to Japan for medical treatment.  He was then evacuated to the United States for further treatment on 22 August 1971.  After treatment, he was reassigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

8.  The applicant was separated on 14 December 1971 with an honorable characterization of service.  His DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows his awards as National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes Army policy and procedures concerning awards.  Paragraph 8-6 provides that there are basically three requirements for the award of the CIB.  The soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, he must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat against a hostile force, and he must actively participate in such ground combat. 

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also 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. 

11.  The regulation additionally provides for the award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.  The applicant’s records show he served in Vietnam during the following campaigns:  Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII; and Consolidation I.

12.  Army Pamphlet 672-3 lists the time periods for which various units were awarded unit citations.  The organization to which the applicant was assigned in Vietnam was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal during the period of his assignment.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms that the applicant was an infantryman and met the requirements for award of the CIB during the Vietnam War.  The evidence also confirms he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal.

2.  The applicant also met the qualifications for award of the Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The applicant served in two campaigns during his service in Vietnam and is entitled to two Bronze Service Stars with his Vietnam Service Medal.

4.  The applicant is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal based on his assignment with the 4th Battalion, 503rd Infantry, in Vietnam.

5.  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.  Showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal; and

     b.  Awarding him the Combat Infantryman Badge based on his service as an infantryman in the Vietnam War; the Good Conduct Medal for the period 27 April 1970 to 14 December 1971; two Bronze Service Stars with his Vietnam Service Medal; the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__jhl____  __clg____  __ena___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__JoAnn H. Langston__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000041170	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000921	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.	110.00	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.