PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           13 February 2001                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000047970

	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:

	Ms. June Hajjar 		Chairperson	
	Ms. Shirley Powell 		Member	
	Mr. Harry B. Oberg		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 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Valorous Unit Award and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  He also requests that a bronze service star be affixed to both unit awards if applicable.  

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his unit received these awards and they should be shown on his discharge document.  He also states that it is his understanding that a bronze service star should be affixed to each unit award to denote his presence in the unit at the time it was cited for the award.  In support of his application, he submits a letter of explanation dated 6 September 2000; a copy of page 4 of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record); a copy of his DD Form 214; and a copy of his DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214). 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 6 September 1967 for a period of 3 years.  He served as a door gunner in Vietnam from 
7 September 1968 through 9 April 1970 and was honorably released on 12 April 1970.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Valorous Unit Award or the 
Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation as authorized awards.

6.  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 the unit, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the Valorous Unit Award for actions during the period 
31 August to 31 October 1968 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 42, dated 1969. 

7.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) also shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 43, dated 1970 as amended.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), in pertinent part, provides that service stars are worn on campaign and service ribbons to denote an additional award or campaign participation.  There is no provision of regulation authorizing the bronze service star to be affixed to unit awards.   

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s unit was cited for the Valorous Unit Award and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation while he was assigned to it.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show these unit awards.
2.  Service stars are authorized appurtenances for campaign and service ribbons to denote an additional award or campaign participation.  Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to wear a bronze service star affixed to his Valorous Unit Award or Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation. 

3.  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 Valorous Unit Award 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:  

JH_____  SP_____  HBO_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___June Hajjar________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000047970	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010213	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	10700412	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 Chapter 5	
DISCHARGE REASON	Overseas Returnee	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0033	
2.	107.0095	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.