PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:          

	BOARD DATE:                3 August 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR2000041930

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Member	
	Mr. Edwin S. Castle		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 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant states that his DD Form 214 does not show the Bronze Star Medal or the Combat Infantryman Badge.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and a copy of a newspaper article from Joplin, Missouri, dated 14 February 1971.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 24 March 1970 as a light weapons infantryman (11B).  He served in Vietnam from 21 August 1970 to 9 December 1970 and was permanently retired for disability on 9 May 1972.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, the National Defense Service Medal, the Marksman
Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) and the Good Conduct Medal.  
His discharge document does not show the Bronze Star Medal or the Combat Infantryman Badge as authorized awards.

6.  The applicant provided a copy of a newspaper article which stated that he
received the Bronze Star Medal near Duc Pho, Vietnam, for meritorious service in connection with military operations against hostile forces in Vietnam while assigned to the Company A, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade of the Americal Division.

7.  The applicant’s records contain a letter, dated 13 May 1971, from the Office of the Adjutant General in St. Louis, Missouri, which shows that the Bronze Star Medal was awarded to the applicant by General Order 15715, Headquarters, 23rd Infantry Division, dated 3 December 1970. 

8.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records, which show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company in combat during his service in Vietnam.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS.  They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  The Awards Branch of the Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Bronze Star Medal.

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company in combat while serving in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.

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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

JNS_____  CMF____  ESC____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_JOHN N. SLONE______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000041930	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000803x	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19720509	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .635-40	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  157		
2.  60		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.