PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           25 January 2001                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000043306

	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:

	Ms. June Hajjar		Chairperson	
	Mr. Lester Echols		Member	
	Ms. Karen A. Heinz		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 that the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Driver and Mechanics Badges with Drivers Bar, and the Expert Badge with Mortar, Grenade, Automatic Rifle, Carbine, and Rifle Bars be added to his Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214. 

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the above-listed awards but they were not entered on his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 14 March 1960.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training.  It appears he was awarded either military occupational specialty (MOS) 112.00 (title unknown) or 140.07 (Cannoneer).  He completed basic airborne training.  He was awarded MOS 11C (Infantry Indirect Fire Crewman) in March 1966.  He arrived in Vietnam on or about 23 October 1967 and was assigned to the 3d Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade and performed duties as an 11C4P, forward observer.  He was reassigned to the 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade on 2 December 1967 and performed duties as an 11C4P, forward observer and as an 11B4P, squad leader.  He was medically evacuated from Vietnam on 25 March 1968.  

5.  The applicant was retired by reason of physical disability on 13 October 1969. His Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20, shows that his conduct and efficiency had been rated as “excellent” throughout his service.  All the awards the applicant is requesting are listed on his DA Form 20 and on two previous   DD Forms 214.  His last DD Form 214 lists only the National Defense Service Medal.

6.  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.

7.  Army Regulation 635-5 prescribes the separation documents prepared for soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army.  It establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214.  The regulation in effect at the time stated that all authorized awards and decorations were to be listed on the DD Form 214.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that the 3d Battalion, 503d Infantry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for the period 22 October 1967 – 26 September 1970.  The 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for the period   5 May 1967 – 26 September 1970.  Not more than one Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm will be worn by any individual although official personnel files will indicate all awards received.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded all the awards and decorations that he is requesting be added to his last DD Form 214.

2.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded one Army Good Conduct Medal.  However, by virtue of having received “excellent”   conduct and efficiency rating throughout his service he is entitled to award         of two additional Army Good Conduct Medals for the periods 14 March          1963 – 13 March 1966 and 14 March 1966 – 13 March 1969.

3.  The applicant was also assigned to two units that were awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm during the period he was assigned to those units.  Although he can only wear one of these awards, both awards should be listed on his DD Form 214.

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 2d award of the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 14 March 1963 – 13 March 1966 and the 3d award of the Army Good Conduct for the period 14 March 1966 – 13 March 1969.

2.  That the Purple Heart, three awards of the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Parachutist Badge, and the Driver and Mechanics Badge with Drivers Bar, the Expert Badge with Mortar, Grenade, Automatic Rifle, Carbine, and Rifle Bars, and two awards of the 

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm be added to the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 13 October 1969.

BOARD VOTE:  

__JH____  __LE____  __KAH__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			June Hajjar
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000043306	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010125	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.04	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.