PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            20 March 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000048573

	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. Deyon D. Battle		Analyst	

The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		Member	
	Mr. William D. Powers		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 his Report of Transfer or Discharge (DD Form 214) be corrected to show the award of the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the Purple Heart on 25 March 1971, and it has not been included on his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that on 24 July 1968, he enlisted in the Army for 3 years in the pay grade of E-1.  He successfully completed his training as a light weapons infantryman.  On 22 January 1971, he was transferred to Vietnam and was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division.

5.  His DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal w/bronze service star and the Sharpshooter Badge w/Rifle Bar.

6.  A review of the records shows that on 28 August 1991, the Army Reserve Personnel Center (ARPERCEN) reviewed the applicant’s records and issued the awards of the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 1960.  However, the records fail to show that his DD Form 214 was ever amended to reflect the awards.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that to be eligible for the Combat Infantryman Badge, a soldier must be an Army infantry or special forces officer in the grade of colonel or below, or an Army enlisted soldier or warrant officer with an infantry or special forces military occupational specialty (MOS), who subsequent to 6 December 1941 has satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of a infantry, ranger or special forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Administrative errors were made during the preparation of the applicant’s DD Form 214, which resulted in the omission of the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 1960.

2.  On 28 August 1991, the ARPERCEN issued the awards to the applicant and his DD Form 214 should be amended accordingly.

3.  The records also show that, while in the Army, the applicant completed training and successfully performed duties in a light weapons infantryman MOS during the time he was wounded while engaging the enemy on 25 March 1971.  In accordance with the applicable regulation he is entitled to the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and his DD Form 214 should be corrected to reflect the award.

4.  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 amending the DD Form 214 of the individual concerned to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 1960; and

	b.  by awarding him the Combat Infantryman Badge effective 25 March 1971, while serving  in the rank of specialist four.

BOARD VOTE:  

___fe ___  __rjw ___  __wdp___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_____Fred N. Eichorn_______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000048573	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	2001/03/20	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  46	107.0000	
2.  61	107.0015	
3.  66	107.0020	
4.  134	107.0088	
5.  157	107.0111	
6.