PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:          

	BOARD DATE:                12 October 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR2000044674

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John D. Miller		Chairperson	
	Mr. John E. Denning		Member	
	Ms. Carol J. Suiter 		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 Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The applicant states that he was a rifleman and team leader with Company A, 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry Brigade in Vietnam.  He also states that he was shot by the Vietcong while on a night ambush on 29 June 1969, received the Purple Heart and was in several firefights and major battles during his tour.  He further states that he is entitled to the Combat Infantryman Badge and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal on 10 March 1970 for his service in Vietnam; however, he did not receive the citation until his arrival in Germany.  After arriving in Germany he received a copy of the citation and orders awarding him the Bronze Star Medal and was informed that the medal was ordered but had not arrived.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), a copy of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), a copy of his DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) dated 23 February 1983, a copy of orders awarding him the Purple Heart and an award certificate and citation awarding him the Bronze Star Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 26 September 1968 as a light weapons infantryman (11B).  He served in Vietnam from 13 March 1969 to 12 March 1970 and was honorably discharged on 16 September 1971.

5.  His discharge document does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Bronze Star Medal as authorized awards.

6.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records, which show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  The DA Form 20 provided by the applicant shows that he served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company in combat during his service in Vietnam.

7.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, which shows that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces while serving in Vietnam from March 1969 to March 1970.

8.  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.
9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows the applicant served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company involved in combat operations while serving in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his records to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  There are no orders available to the Board which authorize award of the Bronze Star Medal to the applicant.  However, the applicant has provided evidence that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  Upon review, the Board has determined that this evidence is sufficient as a basis for correction of his records to show this award.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show award of the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  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 Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

JDM____  JED_____  CJS____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		JOHN D. MILLER____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000044674	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20001012	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19710916	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  60		
2.  157		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.