PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           5 October 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000044002

	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. Shirley L. Powell		Chairperson	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Jaime Perez		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 all his awards and his letter of appreciation be entered on his Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214.  He states that he received three Purple Hearts, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) for heroism and a letter of appreciation and that these are not on his DD Form 214.  

3.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 20 October 1966.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).  

4.  The applicant arrived in Vietnam on 15 April 1967 and was initially assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry where he performed duties as an 11B10, rifleman.  He was later assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 25th Infantry Division (ID); HHC, 25th Supply and Transport Battalion, 25th ID; HHC and Band, 25th ID Support Command; and HHC, 3d Brigade, 25th ID.

5.  Special Orders 162, 25th ID dated 11 June 1967 awarded the applicant the Combat Infantryman Badge.  He provides a citation to show he was awarded the BSM for heroism on 4 June 1967.  General Orders (GO) 4085, 25th ID dated     22 October 1967 awarded him the Purple Heart for wounds received on 4 June 1967.  GO 202, 12th Evacuation Hospital dated 24 October 1967 amended GO 117, 12th Evacuation Hospital to read Purple Heart 1st oak leaf cluster.  GO 117 is not available.  GO 2023, Headquarters, 25th ID dated 30 March 1968 awarded him the Air Medal.  GO 2649, Headquarters, 25th ID dated 5 April 1968 awarded him the BSM for service.  

6.  The applicant departed Vietnam on 5 April 1968.  He was honorably released from active duty on 18 October 1968.

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.  In pertinent part it states that awarded decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations and campaign ribbons will be entered in item 24.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 states that the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for the period January 1966 – August 1968 and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class for the period 1 January 1966 – 21 January 1970.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s letter of appreciation is not an authorized entry on his          DD Form 214.  
2.  The evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the BSM, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class.  

3.  The Board accepts the BSM for heroism citation the applicant provides as sufficient evidence to show he was awarded the BSM with “V” device.  The Board accepts GO 202, 12th Evacuation Hospital dated 24 October 1967 as sufficient evidence to show he was awarded the Purple Heart 1st oak leaf cluster even though the basic General Order is not available.

4.  There is no evidence of record and the applicant provides none to show he was wounded three times and so no evidence to show he should be awarded the Purple Heart 2d oak leaf cluster.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be amended to add the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart 1st oak leaf cluster, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class and to show he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal twice, once with “V” device.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__slp___  __eja___  __jp____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Shirley L. Powell
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000044002	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20001005	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.04	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.