PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:  1 February 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2000046780

	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. Luther L. Santiful		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Lutz		Member	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		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 he be issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty)) to show that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the French Fourragere while assigned to the 72nd Engineer Battalion, 197th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia, not for Vietnam Service.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and a copy of his DD Form 215, dated 24 August 1999. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted on 4 August 1965 and served as a pioneer.  He served in Vietnam from 26 December 1965 to 25 December 1966 and was honorably discharged on 4 August 1967.

5.  His discharge document does not show the Army Commendation Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, or the French Fourragere as authorized awards.

6.  The available records contain General Orders Number 3615, dated 1 December 1966, that awarded the Army Commendation Medal to the applicant for meritorious achievement from 5 November 1966 to 21 November 1966 while serving in Vietnam.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Presidential Unit Citation (known as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966) is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action.  A unit must display such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides for award of the French Fourragere as an approved foreign unit award.  The French Fourragere may be awarded by the French Government when a unit has been cited twice for award of the French Croix de Guerre.  The French Fourragere was not awarded for Vietnam Service.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows that the applicant’s unit was cited twice for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation while he was assigned and serving with 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division.  The second and succeeding awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation are denoted by award of a bronze oak leaf cluster.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement while serving in Vietnam.
Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  The Board notes that the applicant’s contentions that he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the French Fourragere while assigned to the
72nd Engineer Battalion, 197th Infantry Brigade, Fort Benning, Georgia.  However, there is no evidence in the available records, and the applicant has provided no evidence, to support his contentions.  

3.  The Board also notes that there is no evidence the applicant was a member of a unit in Vietnam when it was cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation.  The Board further notes that there is no evidence to show that the applicant’s unit was cited twice for award of the French Croix de Guerre by the French Government for award of the French Fourragere.  Therefore, he is not entitled to these awards. 

4.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant’s unit was cited twice for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation while he was assigned and serving with the 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show that he was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation (First Oak Leaf Cluster).

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 for the individual concerned be corrected by showing in item 24 (Awards and Decorations) of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Unit Commendation (First Oak Leaf Cluster).

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__ls____  ___bl___  __ja____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Luther L. Santiful_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000046780	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20010201	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19670804	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT//DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  46		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.