PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                 7 December 2000             
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR2000046342

	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. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. John P. Infante		Member	
	Mr. Ernest W. Lutz, Jr.		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 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Combat Medical Badge.

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge while he served as a combat medic during the TET Offensive of 1968 in Quang Tri.  He states that he was utilized in his secondary military occupational specialty (MOS) and was in a combat situation with the 18th Air Cavalry Division.  He also states that he sustained a wound to his left hip on 13 May 1968.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 22 September 1964 and completed training in MOS 91A (medical corpsman).  He reenlisted on 6 November 1965 and completed several assignments overseas and in the United States.  The applicant continued to serve on active duty through a series of reenlistments until he retired in the rank of sergeant first class on 30 September 1985.

5.  The applicant’s service personnel records contain three DD Forms 214.  His discharge documents, which are authenticated in his own hand, do not show the Combat Medical Badge as an authorized award.  The Board noted that the applicant was eligible for award of the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star and two bronze service stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation which are not shown on his discharge documents.

6.  Records show that the applicant served in Vietnam from 5 December 1967 to 1 August 1969.  He served as an operating room specialist while he was assigned to the 15th Medical Battalion and the 85th Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam.  There is no evidence that he served in a medical unit organic to an infantry brigade.

7.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, with a separation date of 23 June 1975, shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he received credit for participation in the Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase III, the TET Counteroffensive, the Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV, the Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V, the Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI, the TET Counteroffensive 1969 and the Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 campaigns during his tour in Vietnam.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam.  This document shows that the applicant was a member of the 15th Medical Battalion when it was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 1 June 1967 to 31 May 1968 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 28, dated 1969.  The applicant’s unit was also cited for the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 1 June 1968 to 30 November 1969 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 2, dated 1971.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 also shows that the applicant’s unit was cited for award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for actions during the period 1 January 1969 to 1 February 1970 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 42, dated 1972.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Medical Badge is awarded to medical department personnel (colonel and below) who are assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size which is engaged in active ground combat.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.  This regulation also states, in pertinent part, that a silver service star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant served as an operating room specialist while he was assigned to the 15th Medical Battalion and the 85th Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam.  There is no evidence available to the Board which shows he was assigned to a medical unit organic to an infantry brigade; therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his records to show award of the Combat Medical Badge.

2.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, with a separation date of 23 June 1975, shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in seven campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam which are not correctly shown by award of one silver service star (in lieu of five bronze service stars) and two bronze service stars for wear on his Vietnam Service Medal.  Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, the applicant is entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star and two bronze service stars and correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.   

3.  While the applicant was assigned to the 15th Medical Battalion during his tour in Vietnam, it was cited twice for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Meritorious Unit Commendation (First Oak Leaf Cluster).

4.  The applicant was also awarded the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

5.  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 the individual concerned was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star and two bronze service stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (First Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  JPI_____  EWL_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000046342	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20001207	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT IN PART	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0113	
2.	107.0000	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.