PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                28  September 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR2000042539

	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			
	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ernest M. Willcher		Member	
	Mr. Donald P. Hupman, Jr.		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, correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) with a separation date of 31 August 1983 to show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism in ground combat (correctly known as the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device) and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant states that the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device and the Combat Infantryman Badge are not listed on his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 31 August 1983.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 31 August 1983 and a copy of an award certificate for the Bronze Star Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 27 November 1961 as a light weapons infantryman and continued to served through a series of continuous reenlistments until he was placed on the Army of the United States Retired List effective 1 September 1983.  He served in Vietnam from 1 April 1964
to 1 August 1964, from 23 July 1966 to 12 July 1967 and from 19 July 1970 to 15 July 1971.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 with a separation date of 31 August 1983 does not show the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device or the Combat Infantryman Badge as authorized awards.

6.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, which shows that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroism in ground combat while serving in Vietnam on 29 October 1966.  

7.  The applicant’s records contain a copy of Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division General Orders, dated 5 December 1966, which awarded the applicant the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 29 October 1966 while serving in Vietnam.
This award is shown on his DD Form 214; however, the “V” Device is omitted.  
The applicant also received two additional awards of the Bronze Star Medal
for a total of three awards of the Bronze Star Medal.

8.  The applicant’s record contain a copy of Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division Special Order, dated 26 October 1966, which awarded the applicant the Combat Infantryman Badge for service against an armed enemy.

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.  The bronze “V” device indicates acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy and the Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC) indicates second and succeeding awards of the Bronze Star Medal.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster); however, one of those awards was the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for heroism in ground combat.  The Board notes that the “V” Device was omitted from the Bronze Star Medal (Second Oak Leaf Cluster).  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 with a separation dated of 31 August 1983 to show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device (Second Oak Leaf Cluster).

2.  Orders show the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge;
therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

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 showing in item 13 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 31 August 1983 that the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device (Second Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  EMW____  DPH____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000042539	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000928	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19830831	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 157		
2.  61		
3.  		
4.		
5.		
6.