PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                 29 August 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR2000043069

	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. John D. Miller		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger Able		Member	
	Mr. Charles Gainor		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 Army Commendation Medal and the 
Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant states that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Army Commendation Medal or the Combat Infantryman Badge.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and copies of award certificates for the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 30 March 1968 as a light weapons infantryman (11B).  He served in Vietnam from August 1968 to August 1969 and was honorably discharged on 15 May 1971.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge (M14) and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge (M16).  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Army Commendation Medal 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 Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious achievement while serving in Vietnam from 1 October 1968 to 28 February 1969.

7.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, which shows that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge on 18 October 1968 for participation in infantry operations against an armed enemy while serving in Vietnam.

8.  The Board notes that the applicant is eligible for award of the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device which are not shown on his discharge document.

9.  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, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. 

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.
11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, 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.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  This medal was awarded by the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included assignment in Vietnam for 6 months or more and 
direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces. 

13.  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 10 May 1969 to 21 May 1969 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 16, dated 1972.

14.  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 Valorous Unit Award for actions during the period
17 April 1969 to 7 May 1969 by Department of the Army General Orders 
Number 2, dated 1971.

15.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 43, dated 1970.

16.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) also shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 48, dated 1971.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There are no orders available to the Board which authorize award of the Army Commendation Medal or the Combat Infantryman Badge to the applicant.  

2.  The applicant has provided evidence of record which shows he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.  Upon review, the Board has determined that this evidence is sufficient as a basis for correction of his records to show these awards.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled award of the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his records to show these awards.

3.  Evidence of record shows that he is entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal
and that he completed a period of qualifying service for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

4.  The applicant was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, 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 records to show these awards.

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 showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Device, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  

BOARD VOTE:  

JDM____  RA_____  CG______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_JOHN D. MILLER_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000043069	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000829	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19710515	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  157		
2.  66		
3.  46		
4.		
5.		
6.