PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           21 December 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000048315

	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	
	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Karol A. Kennedy		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ernest W. Lutz, Jr.		Member	
	Ms. Gail J. Wire		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 the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) be added to his Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the ARCOM and the BSM but they do not appear on his DD Form 214.  He provides as supporting evidence unsigned citations showing he was awarded the ARCOM and the BSM. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 28 October 1968.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 13A (Field Artillery Basic).  He was assigned to Vietnam on or about 17 November 1969 and was assigned to the 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery as a cannoneer.  

5.  The citations provided by the applicant show that he was awarded the ARCOM for meritorious achievement during the period 1 June through              30 September 1970 and the BSM for meritorious service during the period October 1969 through October 1970.  Records at the U. S. Total Army Personnel Command confirm that the applicant was awarded the ARCOM on General Orders 14185, Headquarters, 23d Infantry Division dated 26 October 1970.  No BSM orders could be located.

6.  The applicant departed Vietnam on 12 October 1970.  He was honorably released from active duty on 15 October 1970 after completing 1 year, 11 months and 18 days of creditable active service with no lost time.  His Personnel Qualification Record, DA Form 20, shows that his conduct and efficiency had been rated as “excellent” throughout his service.

7.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations.  It stated that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service completed on or after 27 August 1940 and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year.  At the time, a soldier’s conduct and efficiency ratings must have been rated as “excellent” for the entire period of qualifying service.  It also stated that the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is awarded upon completing 6 months service in Vietnam.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that the 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for the periods 24 August through 31 December 1969 and 31 March through 30 June 1970.  It notes that not more than one Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit 

citation will be worn by any individual although official military personnel and historical records will indicate all awards received.  It also shows that the applicant served in Vietnam through four campaigns – Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 from 9 June through 31 October 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970 from    1 November 1969 through 30 April 1970; Department of the Army Sanctuary Counter Offensive from 1 May through 30 June 1970; and Vietnam Counter Offensive Phase VII from 1 July 1970 through 30 June 1971.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record confirms that the applicant was awarded the ARCOM. However, the citation provided by the applicant to show he was awarded the BSM is not signed or dated and there is no indication on the citation of what headquarters awarded it.  Without a signed document, such as orders or an award certificate, to show what headquarters may have awarded the BSM, the Board does not accept as sufficient evidence the citation alone.

2.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant met the eligibility criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 28 October 1968 through 15 October 1970.

3.  The evidence of record also shows that the applicant met the eligibility criteria for two awards of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (although he may wear only one award), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars.

4.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 28 October 1968 through 15 October 1970.

2.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be amended to show he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, two awards of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__kak___  __ewl___  __gjw___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Karol A. Kennedy
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000048315	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20001221	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.04	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.