PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            12 December 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000043671

	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	
	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Harry B. Oberg		Member	
	Ms. Lana E. McGlynn		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 his 1969 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to reflect award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Purple Heart.  He also asks that item 23a (specialty) be changed to reflect specialty 11B2P vice 63C4P, that item 12 (last duty assignment and major command) be changed to reflect 173rd Airborne, Vietnam - October 1967, and that his VA claim number be added to the remarks section.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 
11 July 1966 and successfully completed training as an infantryman.  He was awarded the Parachutist Badge in December 1966.  In November 1967 he was assigned as a rifleman (specialty 11B2P) with the 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam.  In January 1968 he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  The 173rd Airborne Brigade published orders confirming the award.

4.  On 30 January 1968 the applicant "was hit by hostile small arms fire."  As a result of his injuries he was evacuated from Vietnam and awarded the Purple Heart while at the United States Army Hospital, at Fort Devens, Massachusetts.  In May 1968 he was reassigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

5.  In the fall of 1968 the applicant was recommended for and competed for promotion to pay grade E-5 in specialty 63C4P (equipment repairman).  He was promoted to pay grade E-5 in specialty 63C4P on 21 October 1968.  His previous specialty (11B2P) was withdrawn and specialty 63C4P was awarded.

6.  On 10 July 1969, at the completion of his enlistment contract, the applicant was honorably discharged.  At the time of his discharge he had been assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division for nearly 12 months.  His award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and Purple Heart were omitted from his DD Form 214.  His award of the Parachutist Badge, and Expert Marksmanship Badge with rifle and machinegun bars were also omitted.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  Current practice requires that the commander provide written notice of nonfavorable consideration and permits the individual to respond.  The applicant’s conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his military service were excellent and there is no record of any disciplinary actions.

8.  A review of Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) notes the applicant’s unit (503rd Infantry) was credited with participating in one designated campaign during the applicant’s period of assignment.  A bronze service star on the Vietnam Service Medal represents participation in a designated campaign.  The unit was also awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation during his tenure with the organization.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms that the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Parachutist Badge and Expert Marksmanship Badge with rifle and machinegun bars.  Those awards should be reflected on his DD Form 214.

2.  The evidence also confirms that at the time of the applicant's separation he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg and held a primary specialty of 63C4P, the specialty which he was awarded upon promotion to pay grade E-5.  That information is correctly recorded on the applicant's DD Form 214 and there is no basis to change those items.

3.  The applicant completed a qualifying period for award of the Good Conduct Medal on 10 July 1969 when he was honorably discharged from active duty.  There is no evidence in available records that would serve as a basis to disqualify him for the award.  As such the Board concludes it would be appropriate, and in the interest of justice, to award him the Good Conduct Medal for the period 11 July 1966 through 10 July 1969.

4.  The applicant is entitled to a bronze service star on his Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation.

5.  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:

a.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, Parachutist Badge and the Expert Marksmanship Badge with rifle and machinegun bars;

b.  by awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 11 July 1966 through 10 July 1969; and

c.  by showing that he is entitled to a bronze service star on his Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__lem___  __fne___  ___hbo__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000043671	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20001212	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	Grant	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.	110.00	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.