PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           19 December 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000046847

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James P. Huber		Chairperson	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		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, in effect, that his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars instead of the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars. 

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he served in Vietnam from 5 March 1968 through 3 March 1969 and participated in four campaigns during his assignment. In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214; a copy of a Nomination for 110% Award dated 1 February 1969; a Letter of Commendation dated 31 January 1969; and a copy of an article titled “Campaign Stars”.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he completed over 21 years of active duty on 31 March 1969 when he retired in the rank of sergeant first class.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars as an authorized award.  The DD Form 214 does show the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars.

6.  The applicant’s military records show that he served in Vietnam from 5 March 1968 to 4 March 1969 and participated in four campaigns (Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV, 2 April 1968 to 30 June 1968; Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V, 1 July 1968 to 1 November 1968; Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI, 2 November 1968 to 22 February 1969; and Tet 69 Counteroffensive, 23 February 1969 to 8 June 1969).  

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), 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 which includes the Vietnam Service Medal.
 
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars as an authorized award.  However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in four campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam.  Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, the applicant is entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars and correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.

2.  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: 

a.  by deleting the entry “Vietnam Service Medal w/2 Bronze Service Stars” in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) on the DD Form 214 of the individual concerned; and 

	b.  by adding the entry “Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars” in item 24 on the DD Form 214.

BOARD VOTE:  

JPH_____  RYW___  KLW_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		James P. Huber________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000046847	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20001219	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19690331	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	10 US Code 3914	
DISCHARGE REASON	Retirement	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0073	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.