PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           15 March 2001                 
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000042154

	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	
	Mr. Richard H. Allen		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Ernest M. Willcher		Chairperson	
	Mr. Richard T. Dunbar		Member	
	Mr. Thomas E. O’Shaughnessy		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 two applications, the award of the American Defense Service Medal and that he be provided a copy of United States Army Vietnam (USARV) General Order 626, dated 16 September 1965, awarding him two awards of the Air Medal and the accompanying citations.  

3.  The applicant states that he had military service in 1940, but just became aware of his entitlement to the American Defense Service Medal.  He has tried in the past to get the Air Medal award issued, without success.  

4.  His counsel has requested that a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 
214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) be issued to formalize a memorandum from the staff of this Board to the Army Reserve Personnel Center (ARPERCEN), dated 18 September 1996, in which several additional awards were to be recorded on his separation documents.  This has not yet been accomplished.  

5.  The applicant's military records show that he was born on 8 February 1924.  A WD AGO Form 20 (Soldier Qualification Record) in the applicant's official military personnel file (OMPF), contains an entry in item 21 (Previous Military Experience) which shows that he served in the Infantry Branch of the Citizens' Military Training Corps, as a private, for 1 year in 1940.  No further information on this period of service is available in his records.  

6.  The applicant's creditable military service began on 29 July 1942, when he enlisted in the Air Corps, Army of the United States for the duration of the war plus 6 months.  He was 18 years and 5 months of age at that time.  His records also contains a waiver to enlist, dated 16 July 1942, signed by his mother.   

7.  He served in the Army Air Corps throughout World War II.  On 26 March 
1945, an entry was made on his WD AGO Form 24 (Service Record) which authorized him to wear the Aerial Gunner Badge (Wings).  He was honorably discharged (demobilized) on 23 January 1946, with the rank of sergeant, pay grade E-4.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Discharge) shows in item 33 (Decorations and Citations) that he was authorized to wear the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.  He was also issued the World War II Lapel Button.  However, no entry authorizing the wear of the Aerial Gunners Badge was made on the WD AGO Form 53-55.  

8.  On 24 January 1946, he enlisted in the Enlisted Reserve Corps, Army Air Corps, with the rank of sergeant  and served in an inactive status.  On 1 July 
1947 he enlisted for active duty in the Army Air Corps, with the rank of sergeant.  On 8 September 1949, he was transferred to the United States Air Force in connection with the establishment of that Armed Service.  He reenlisted in the United States Air Force on 1 July 1950.  He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force on 31 December 1951, with the rank of sergeant, pay grade E-5, and enlisted in the Regular Army on 1 January 1952.  As of that date, his awards and decorations included only the awards and decoration shown in paragraph 7, above.  He had earned no additional awards or decorations between January 1946 and December 1951.

9.  On 14 August 1952, upon completion of an officer candidate school, the applicant was appointed and commissioned as a second lieutenant, Infantry, Army Reserve Corps, with a concurrent call to active duty.   

10.  The applicant served continuously thereafter, being promoted to the rank of first lieutenant and captain.  On 31 January 1964, the applicant was honorably separated from active duty with the rank of captain, and was transferred to the United States Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Retired Reserve), and was placed on the USAR Retired List on 1 February 1964.  He was credited with 
20 years and 5 days active service and 21 years, 6 months and 2 days total service.  The DD Form 214 issued at that time showed in item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons) that he was entitled to wear the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Combat Infantry (sic-Infantryman) Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the Ranger Arc Tab. 

11.  In a series of correspondence between the applicant and the Department of the Army (Office of the Adjutant General (TAGO)), between August 1964 and February 1967, the applicant requested award of the Air Medal with an oak leaf cluster.  Research at the time showed that General Order 626, with one correction, was issued by the USARV awarding him the Air Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for the period 7 April 1962 to 26 May 1962.  After much correspondence, the original award certificate was found and forwarded to a local military unit for appropriate presentation.  However, the awards certificate was so soiled and damaged that the applicant refused to accept the award in January 1967, and it is still in his OMPF.  It appears that a substitute certificate and a generic citation was prepared and forwarded to the applicant in early February 1967 by the TAGO.  Whether these documents/award elements were ever received by the applicant is unknown.  Further, no corrections to his separation document to show this new award was made.  

12.  The applicant's records also contain a copy of a DA Form 
638 (Recommendation for Award), dated 14 August 1963, for two awards of the Air Medal for operations between 16 December 1961-2 April 1962 and from 
7 April-26 May 1962.  At the time, the applicant was serving in a temporary duty status from Okinawa as the commander of a Special Forces unit assigned as a Military Training Team.  The recommendation also contains a proposed citation for the award.  However, as indicated above, a generic citation was prepared in connection with the approval documents for the award elements.  

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service while participating in aerial flight.  This award is primarily intended for personnel on flying status, but may also be awarded to those personnel whose combat duties require them to fly, for example personnel in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

14.  Initially, an oak leaf cluster was authorized for second and subsequent award of the medal.  Thus, the first oak leaf cluster was issued for the second award of the Air Medal.  However, Army regulations now provide that Arabic numerals are to be issued instead of oak leaf clusters for the second and succeeding awards of the Air Medal.  The numeral 2 denotes the second award of the Air Medal.

15.  The applicant has requested award of the American Defense Service Medal for service in 1940.  He supposedly served for two 60-day periods of service at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland as an infantryman with D Company, 
1st Battalion, 116th Infantry (Regimen), 29th Infantry Division. 

16.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the American Defense Service Medal for service within the American Theater between 8 September 1939 and 7 December 1941 under orders to active duty for a period of 12 months or longer.

17.  The only evidence of service in 1940 in the applicant's records is an entry in Item 21 (Previous Military Experience), WD AGO Form 20, Personal Qualification Record that he served with a CMTC in 1940 and received Basic Infantry Training. Specific periods of service are not recorded.   

18.  The Citizens' Military Training Corps (CMTC) program was conducted by the War Department under the National Defense Act for a period prior to World War II.  The National Defense Act was the basic law which authorized all military training at that time.  The Government paid the expenses of those attending, consisting of transportation to and from camp, uniforms,  food, medical attendance and other necessary expenses.  The objective of the CMTC camps was to bring together young men of "high type" from all sections of the country on a common basis of equality and under the most favorable conditions of outdoor life, to stimulate and promote citizenship, patriotism, and Americanism; and through expert physical direction, athletic coaching, and military training, to benefit the young men individually, and bring them to realize their obligation to their country. Training was given in a number of branch skills of the Army to include Infantry, Field Artillery, Cavalry, Coast Artillery Corps, and Signal Corps.  An  individual who attended the CMTC was considered to have rendered voluntary service to the United States Government and a certificate of completion was evidence of the individual's patriotism and loyalty.  Therefore, no active service credit was given.  

19.  The Board notes that the WD AGO Form 53-55, issued to the applicant on 23 January 1946, contains all the decorations and awards authorized/issued to him between 29 July 1942 and 23 January 1946 to which he was entitled, except the Aerial Gunner Badge.  Entries on his WD AGO Form 24 shows that this badge was appropriately authorized.  Therefore, since other corrections to his DD Form 214 are to be made, administrative action will be taken to add this award to that document.  Further, in some cases the nomenclature  for some of the service awards has been changed (such as the American Theater Ribbon is now the American Campaign Medal), but changes to the WD AGO Form 
53-55 are not necessary.

20.  Additionally, the Board notes that all the awards and decorations shown as being authorized to the applicant on the DD Form 214 issued to him on 
31 January 1964 are supported by orders or regulatory entries on his DA Form 66 (Officer Qualification Record).  Minor administrative corrections could be made (such as the Combat Infantryman Badge instead of the Combat Infantry Badge), but are not mandated. 

21.  Since 1985, the applicant, in some cases with help from his Representative in Congress or a military service organization counsel, has contacted this Board, the ARPERCEN, or its predecessor organization, the Reserve Components Personnel and Administration Center (RCPAC), requesting an extensive list of additional awards.  The staff of this Board and the other agencies have responded, in various forms, authorizing or stating why an award was not being authorized.  Directives in the form of several DD Forms 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards) have been sent to the US Army Support Activity, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which essentially authorized the issuance of some of the actual medals and appurtenances.  However, except for the WD AGO Form 53-55 issued on 23 January 1946 and the DD Form 214 issued at the time of his retirement on 31 January 1964, no action has ever been taken to add these awards to his separation documents.  Accordingly, to clarify the various requests, the following listings show:  paragraph 21A, a listing of the various awards and decorations currently authorized on his separation documents; secondly (paragraph 21B), a listing of additional awards and decorations to which he is entitled based upon authorizations by military orders or regulatory citation; and thirdly (paragraphs 21C, 21D and 21E), various awards and decorations to which he claims entitlement, but no entitlement has been established or are otherwise supported by regulation, orders or approval for wear, such as foreign decorations or badges.  

	AWARD TITLE				Authorized by: ORDERS    REGS

(21A):  CURRENTLY SHOWN ON  WD AGO 
 FORM 53-55 or DD Form 214

Good Conduct Medal						 		   Yes
American Campaign Medal							   Yes
World War II Victory Medal								   Yes
Korean Service Medal								   Yes
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (RVN Service)				   Yes
Armed Forces Reserve Medal							   Yes
United Nations Service Medal							   Yes
Combat Infantry(man) Badge							   Yes
Master Parachutist Badge 								   Yes
Ranger Arc Tab									   Yes
World War II Lapel Button								   Yes

(21B):  CORRECT THE RECORD TO ADD

Bronze Star Medal							     Yes
Army Commendation Medal					     Yes
Air Medal w/ Numeral 2 (formerly w/1st Oak Leaf Cluster)	     Yes
National Defense Service Medal  (w/bronze service star) 			    Yes
Bronze service star for wear on the Korean Service Medal			    Yes
Aerial Gunner Badge								    Yes
Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge					    Yes
          (Rifle, Pistol, Carbine and Machine Gun Bars)
RVN Campaign Ribbon with/60 Device						    Yes
RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation					    Yes

(21C):  AWARDS ESTABLISHED AFTER RETIREMENT DATE-31 JANUARY
            1964.  ORDERS REQUIRED.

Defense Superior Service Medal:  Established 6 February 1976
Defense Meritorious Service Medal:  Established 3 November 1977
Joint Service Achievement Medal:  Established  3 August 1983
Humanitarian Service Medal:  Established 19 January 1977
Meritorious Service Medal (Army):  Established 16 January 1969
Overseas Service Ribbon:  Established 10 April 1981
Army Service Ribbon:  Established 10 April 1981
Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon;  Established 
10 April 1981

(21D):  FOREIGN AWARDS AND DECORATIONS WITH NO ORDERS    (Applicant would need to provide foreign citation and/or approval by the appropriate United States Army authorities to accept these awards)

RVN Gallantry Cross for Heroism
RVN Unit Citation for Valorous Combat
RVN Presidential Unit Citation
RVN Armed Forces Honor Medal (Officer)
RVN Staff Service Medal 1st Class (Officer)
(21E):  AWARDS AND DECORATIONS TO BE DENIED
           (See following paragraphs for rationale)

Legion of Merit
Soldier's Medal
Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device
Meritorious Unit Citation (sic:  Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal) 
American Defense Service Medal
Humane Action Medal (Medal of Humane Action) 
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in Korea and Vietnam
National Defense Service Medal for service in World War II, Korea and Vietnam
Hour Glass Device for wear on Armed Forces Reserve medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Korean Presidential Unit Citation

22.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, prescribes the policies and procedures for recommending and approval of military awards.  That regulation, in pertinent part, prescribes that recommendations for military awards and decorations will be submitted in a memorandum format for Department of Defense awards and on a DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) for individual personal decorations.  The recommendations will be submitted for approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  Other service medals and appurtenances are authorized by Army regulations and pamphlets, and are entered on the individual's personal qualification records and separation documents without further documentation. 

23.  Army Regulation 600-8-2 also provides, in pertinent part, that personal decorations, qualification badges and special skill badges issued by foreign governments may be accepted for wear by Army personnel if awarded in recognition of meeting the requirements established by the foreign government concerned for the specific award.  Only those decorations and badges which are awarded in recognition of military activities and by the military department of the host country are authorized for acceptance and permanent wear.  Decorations and badges which do not meet these criteria may be authorized for acceptance, but not for wear, and will not be entered in the official military records of the recipient.

24.  That same regulation states that wear of individually awarded foreign decorations must be approved by the Total Army Personnel Command (PERSCOM).  Commanders (overseas and in the Continental United States) serving in the rank of brigadier general or higher and colonel level commanders who exercise general court-martial authority are delegated authority to approve the acceptance, retention, and permanent wear of foreign badges listed in appendix D of this regulation. 

25.  A review of the various awards and decorations listed in paragraph 21C, above, shows that they were established after the applicant was retired from active duty.  Therefore, in the absence of military orders or regulatory guidance, no basis has been established for wear of these awards and decorations.   

26.  Further, the applicant's records do not contain approved recommendations and military orders issued by the Republic of Vietnam for award of these foreign decorations. Additionally, approval by the Department of the Army would be required for wear of any such decorations or to be listed on his separation documents.  

27.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states, in pertinent part, that the Legion of Merit is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.  The performance must merit recognition of key individuals for service rendered in a clearly exceptional manner.  Performance of duties normal to the grade, branch, specialty or assignment and experience of an individual is not an adequate basis for this award.  In peacetime, service should be in the nature of a special requirement or an extremely difficult duty performed in an unprecedented and clearly exceptional manner.  However, justification may accrue by virtue of exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of important positions. 

28.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Soldier's Medal is awarded for distinguished heroism not involving actual conflict with the enemy.  The same degree of heroism is required as for award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.  The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards of the Soldier’s Medal will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life.  

29.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also states that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism ("V" Device) and for meritorious achievement or service.

30.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 further provides, in pertinent part, that the Meritorious Service Medal is awarded to a members of the Armed Forces of the United States or of a friendly foreign nation who distinguish themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service in a noncombat area.  This award is always for meritorious service, not heroism.  

31.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, shows that the Joint Service Commendation Medal was established on 25 June 1963.  It is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 1 January 1963, distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service.  

32.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism ("V" Device), meritorious achievement or meritorious service.

33.  In cases involving personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  For Army awards and decorations, recommendations must be made within 2 years of the event or period of service and the award must be made within 3 years.  

34.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, states that effective 1 March 1961 the Meritorious Unit Commendation was authorized for units and/or detachments of the Armed Forces of the United States for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services for at least 
6 continuous months in support of military operations.  

35.  As indicated in paragraph 17 above, entitlement to the award of the American Defense Service Medal is only for service within the American Theater between 8 September 1939 and 7 December 1941 under orders to active duty for a period of 12 months or longer.

36.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Medal of Humane Action is awarded to individuals of the Armed Forces of the United States, and to other persons when recommended for meritorious participation, for service while participating in the Berlin airlift or in direct support thereof.  Service must have been for at least 120 days during the period 26 June 1948 and 30 September 1949, inclusive.  The applicant's records show that while he was in the United States Air Force in 1948/1959, he was stationed at Richmond, Virginia. 

37.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for qualifying service after 1 July 1958 in U.S. military operations, U.S. operations in direct support of the United Nations, and U.S. operations of assistance to friendly foreign nations.  Qualifications for this award includes the requirements to be a bona fide member in a unit engaged in the operation or to serve in the area of operations for 30 days, or to be engaged in direct support of the operation for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days provided this support involves entering the area of operations.  The regulation also provides that the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal may be awarded if the individual served the full period in cases when the operation is less than 30 days in duration, if the individual is engaged in actual combat with armed opposition regardless of the period of service, if the individual participates as a member of an aircraft flying in support of the operation, or if the individual is recommended (or attached to a unit recommended) for award of the medal if the above criteria have not been met.  The designated military operations and dates of eligibility for this award are specified in Army Regulation 600-8-22.  This award is authorized for performance of duty in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) for the period 1 July 1958 through 3 July 1965.  Award of the medal for service in Korea was only for the period 1 October 1966 and 30 June 1974.  

38.  This same regulation also provides for award of the Vietnam Service Medal. This medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included attachment to or assignment for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.  Prior to that period of service, award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal was authorized for 6 months or more service in the RVN.  The award of the Vietnam Service Medal may be requested in lieu of the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.  Such requests may be administratively approved by the support staff of this Board in St. Louis. 

39.  Likewise, Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 
27 July 1950 through 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 through 14 August 1974, and 2 August 1990 through 30 November 1995.  Second and subsequent awards of this medal is denoted by a bronze service star affixed to the service ribbon for each qualifying period of service.  

40.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also states that the Armed Forces Reserve Medal was established by Executive Order 10163, as announced in Department of the Army Bulletin 15, 1950, as amended by Executive Order 10439, announced in Department of the Army Bulletin 3, 1953.  The medal is awarded for honorable and satisfactory service as a member of one or more of the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces of the United States for a period of 10 years.  The conditions for award of the Armed Forces Reserve Medal include the requirement that the 10 years service  must be  completed within 12 consecutive years and service in a regular component of the Armed Forces, tenure in elected state office, tenure as a member of a legislative body of the United States or a state, and service as a judge of a court of record of the United States, a state or territory or District of Columbia is excluded from credit to ward this award but does not constitute a break in service.  Service in the Retired Reserve is likewise not creditable towards this award.  A second award of the medal is denoted by addition of an hour-glass (bronze roman numeral "X") to the award.

41.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in the Korean conflict.  This document fails to show that the unit the applicant served with (27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division) during the Korean conflict was cited for the award of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.    

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board notes that the applicant was awarded the Air Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster (now Numeral 2) by USARV General Order 626, dated 
16 September 1965, with one amendment, also dated 16 September 1965.   

2.  The award elements were mishandled and may never have been presented to him.  Therefore, it would be appropriate to issue him new award elements 
(medal/ribbon with Numeral 2).

3.  Also, the Army Review Boards Agency (ARBA) Support Division, St. Louis, will be requested to administratively reissue the award certificate and citation (generic), and send these documents, along with the USARV General Order 626, as amended, to the applicant.  A copy of the original award recommendation (DA Form 638), dated 14 August 1963, should also be forwarded to the applicant for his records.  

4.  It would also be appropriate to correct the applicant's military records by issuance of a DD Form 215 to correct the DD Form 214 issued to him on 
31 January 1964 to show the nine additional awards, decorations, badges and appurtenances contained in paragraph 21B, above.  

5.  However, the Board can find no evidence that he is entitled to award of the American Defense Service Medal.  There is no evidence that he had 12 or more months continuous active duty between 8 September 1939 and 7 December 1941.  His service in the CMTC was not considered active duty.

6.  Additionally, the applicant and/or his counsel have submitted various requests to this Board, to the ARPERCEN and the RCPAC, and through his Representative in Congress, requesting approval for wear of 20 additional Department of the Army and Department of Defense awards, decorations, and/or appurtenances, as well as six foreign decorations from the Republic of Vietnam or the Republic of Korea, as shown in paragraphs 21C, 21D and 21E, above.  The Board has carefully considered these requests and finds them not supported by his records, by regulation, or by action of the foreign government.  

7.  Essentially, he served prior to the authorization for award of the five medals and three ribbons shown in paragraph 21C, above.  In the absence of evidence that he was ever entitled to these awards and decorations, the Board can find no basis to approve his request.

8.  Additionally, there is no evidence of record that the recommendations he stated were made for the five RVN awards shown in paragraph 21D, above were ever approved by RVN officials or submitted to the PERSCOM for approval to wear an individual foreign awards as required by Army Regulation 600-8-22.  Further, the appropriate Army pamphlet fails to show that the applicant's unit was approved for award of Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.  

9.  Further, the Board notes that the applicant has not provided, nor do his records contain, any approved recommendations or military orders authorizing the award of the Legion of Merit, the Soldier's Medal, the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, or the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device.  Further, there are no Army general orders authorizing the award of the Meritorious Unit Citation to his unit.  

10.  Additionally, there is no evidence that he qualified for the Humane Action Medal (Medal of Humane Action) for the Berlin Airlift; he did not serve in Korea during the authorized period for award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, rather he received it for service in the RVN; he was entitled to only two awards of the National Defense Service Medal for service between 1950-1954 and from 
1961-1964 when he retired, since this award is issued for periods of service, not locations; and since the Armed Forces Reserve Medal was not created until 1950, and he retired in 1964, he did not serve for 20 years in an active status in the Reserve Components.  

11.  Notwithstanding prior administrative determinations of entitlement to award of the Vietnam Service Medal, in actuality he is not entitled to this award.  It was created for service in the RVN after 3 July 1965.  He served earlier and received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for this service.  If he desires the Vietnam Service Medal (with one bronze service star) in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, he may so request such a change, in writing, to the ARBA Support Division, St. Louis.  However, the award of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal would be withdrawn. 
 
12.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by issuing to the individual concerned a DD Form 215 correcting item 26 of the DD Form 214 issued on 31 January 1964 to show award of the Bronze Star Medal; the Army Commendation Medal; the Air Medal with Numeral 2; the National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star; the Aerial Gunner Badge; the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Rifle, Pistol, Carbine and Machine Gun Bars); the RVN Campaign Ribbon with/60 Device; and the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. 

2.  That upon completion of the above, that a new Awards Certificate and Citation for two awards of the Air Medal be issued to him, along with a copy of USARV General Order 626, as amended and a copy of the original DD Form 638, dated 14 August 1963, for his personal records.  

3.  If appropriate, issuance of a new set of award elements for the Air Medal, as a duplicate award, is authorized.  

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__emw__  __rtd____  __teo ___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Ernest M. Willcher___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000042154	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010315	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT IN PART	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	DASA	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.