PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:            27 NOVEMBER 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001060064

	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	
	Mr. Kenneth H. Aucock		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Mr. Lester Echols		Member	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		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 record reflect that his duties in Vietnam were that of a demolition disposal specialist in lieu of duties as a clerk-typist.  He also requests any awards that he is due.

3.  The applicant states that he is missing some medals.  He was not a clerk-typist, but assigned to a demolition disposal unit, dealing with bombs and booby traps after being removed from duties as a clerk-typist and trained in demolition duty.  He was assigned to the 170th Ordnance Detachment ((EOD) (Emergency Ordnance Disposal)) in Vietnam.  He would like to prove to his family that he was involved in the Saigon TET counteroffensive and that he did demolition work. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 16 May 1967, trained as a clerk-typist (MOS 71B), and in November 1967 was assigned to the 170th in Vietnam as a clerk-typist.  

5.  On 18 April 1968 the applicant was promoted to pay grade E-4.  His MOS (military occupational specialty) shown on that order was 71B30.  

6.  On 23 May 1968 the applicant received a letter of commendation for his actions and performance of duty, especially during the Viet Cong TET attacks in Saigon.

7.  On 7 July 1968 the applicant was assigned to the 506th Field Depot and on   18 July of that same year to the 569th General Supply Company.

8.  The applicant completed his tour in Vietnam and returned to the United States at Oakland, California.  He participated in five campaigns during his tour in Vietnam, and during his assignment to the 170th, that unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.  He was released from active duty on 22 December 1968 in the grade of E-4.  His DD Form 214 shows his MOS and duty title as 71B20, clerk-typist.  He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. 

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity
during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the
termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence nor has the applicant provided any, to show that he was awarded a MOS requiring the disposal or demolition of ordnance.  There is also insufficient evidence to show that he performed those type of duties.  He is not entitled to have his record changed to reflect that he performed ordnance disposal or demolition duties during his tour in Vietnam.   

2.  The applicant served his country faithfully and honorably.  He is entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. 

3.  The applicant is also entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star (to denote participation in five campaigns), the Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

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 showing that the applicant was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star, the Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__AAO__  ___LE___  __JTM__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__  Arthur A. Omartian__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001060064	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20011127	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT 	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.	100.00	
3.	46	
4.		
5.		
6.