PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           18 January 2001                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000043198

	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	
	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		Member	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		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, that the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) 1st oak leaf cluster be added to his Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the BSM 1st oak leaf cluster.  He provides a copy of an unsigned, undated citation awarding him the BSM 1st oak leaf cluster as supporting evidence.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 18 April 1968.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 94B (Cook).

5.  The applicant arrived in Vietnam on or about 17 March 1969 and was assigned to Company B, 25th Medical Battalion, 25th Infantry Division as a first cook.  General Orders 12267, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division dated           29 September 1969 awarded him the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM)
for meritorious achievement for the period 1 July – 31 August 1969.

6.  The U. S. Total Army Personnel Command has verified that General Orders 840, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division dated 24 January 1970 awarded the applicant the ARCOM for meritorious service for the period March 1969 – March 1970.  These orders were amended by General Orders 1798, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division dated 17 February 1970 to read awarded the ARCOM 1st oak leaf cluster.  They could find no evidence to show he was awarded either the basic BSM or the BSM 1st oak leaf cluster.

7.  The applicant departed Vietnam on 1 March 1970.  He was released from active duty on 8 March 1970.  He completed 1 year, 10 months and 21 days of creditable active service and had no lost time.  His Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20, shows that his conduct and efficiency had been rated as “excellent” throughout his service.

8.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations.  It stated that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service completed on or after 27 August 1940 and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year.  At the time, a soldier’s conduct and efficiency ratings must have been rated as “excellent” for the entire period of qualifying service.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that the 25th Medical Battalion, 25th Infantry Division was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for the 

period 1 September 1969 – 30 September 1970, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for the period 1 September 1968 – 30 September 1970, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class for the period 31 March 1966 – 21 January 1970. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board notes the unsigned, undated citation that the applicant provides which shows he was awarded the BSM 1st oak leaf cluster.  However, that citation is not substantiated by orders awarding him the BSM 1st oak leaf cluster. In addition, General Orders 840, as amended by General Orders 1798, awarded the applicant the ARCOM 1st oak leaf cluster for meritorious service for the period March 1969 – March 1970.  This is for the same period of service as reflected on the citation.  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Board concludes that the citation contains an administrative error and should have reflected that the applicant was awarded the ARCOM 1st oak leaf cluster.

2.  The applicant met the eligibility criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal and it would be appropriate to award him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 18 April 1968 – 8 March 1970.

3.  The applicant also was assigned to a unit during a period of time that unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class.

4.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 18 April 1968 – 8 March 1970.

2.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be amended to add the Army Commendation Medal 1st oak leaf cluster, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__jns___  __mhm___  __jtm___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			John N. Slone
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000043198	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010118	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.04	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.