PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           .

	BOARD DATE:                 3 October 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR2000044912

	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			
	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Richard T. Dunbar		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that the cited awards are not shown on his DD Form 214.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and a copy of orders awarding him the Purple Heart.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 30 November 1967 as a light weapons infantryman (11B).  He served in Vietnam from 28 February 1969 to 29 July 1969 and was honorably discharged on 
17 August 1969.

5.  His discharge document does not show the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart or the Combat Infantryman Badge as authorized awards.

6.  There is no evidence in the available records, which shows that the applicant was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal or the Army Commendation Medal.

7.  Headquarters, 71st Evacuation Hospital (SMBL) General Orders Number 121, 
dated 19 May 1969, awarded the Purple Heart to the applicant for wounds received in action on 18 May 1969 while serving in Vietnam.

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

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.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

11.  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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence or record, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal or the Army Commendation Medal; therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

2.  Evidence of record shows he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 18 May 1969 while serving in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

3.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served as light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company in combat while serving in Vietnam.  Therefore, he 
is entitled to correction of his records to show that he was awarded the Combat 
Infantryman Badge.

4.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

JNS_____  RTD____  RJW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_JOHN_N. SLONE______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000044912	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20001003	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19690817	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT/DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  61		
2.  60		
3.  157		
4.  66		
5.		
6.