PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           27 March 2001                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000050450

	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:

	Mr. Roger W. Able		Chairperson	
	Mr. Allen L. Raub		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 his Report of Separation from Active Duty, DD Form 214, item 18f be corrected to reflect a total of 24 months and 11 days of foreign service (13 months in Vietnam and 11 months and 26 days in Germany). He also requests that the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) be added to his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant states that he served 13 months in Vietnam and 11 months,   26 days in Germany.  He requests award of the VSM in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) and understands that that AFEM would be deleted from his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 11 September 1962.  He arrived in Vietnam on or about 21 March 1962 and was assigned to the 232d Signal Company.  He served during one campaign (Vietnam Advisory Campaign, 15 March 1962 through 7 March 1965).  He departed for Germany on or about 10 March 1964.  He arrived in Germany on or about 1 May 1964 and departed on or about 26 April 1965.  He was discharged on 26 April 1965.  His DD Form 214, item 18f shows that he served 11 months and 26 days of foreign service.  Item 26 shows that he was awarded the AFEM.

5.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations.  In pertinent part, it states that the VSM is awarded for 1 or more days of service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 to 28 March 1973.  Individuals qualified for the AFEM for reason of service in Vietnam between 1 July 1958 and 3 July 1965 shall remain qualified for that medal.  Upon request, any such individual may be awarded the VSM instead of the AFEM.  In such instances, the AFEM will be deleted from the list of authorized medals on the member’s personnel records.  No person will be entitled to both awards for Vietnam service. It also states that the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal is awarded to members who have served in Vietnam for 6 months during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1973.

6.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that the Meritorious Unit Commendation was awarded to the 232d Signal Company for the period February 1962 through June 1965.  All units that served in Vietnam were later awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, item 18f is in error.  He served a total of 1 year, 11 months and 15 days of foreign service.

2.  The applicant was awarded the AFEM for his service in Vietnam.  He has now requested award of the VSM instead of the AFEM as authorized by regulation.  The AFEM should therefore be deleted from his DD Form 214 and he be awarded the VSM with 1 bronze service star.

3.  The evidence of record also shows that the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

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 Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze service star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

2.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214:

     a.  item 18f be corrected to show he served 1 year, 11 months, and 15 days foreign service; and

     b.  item 26 to delete the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and to add the Vietnam Service Medal with 1 bronze service star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__rwa___  __alr___  __gjw___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Roger W. Able
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000050450	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010327	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.00	
2.	110.04	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.