PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                 15 November 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:         AR2001061104

	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. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley 		Member	
	Ms. Karen A. Heinz 		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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Presidential Unit Citation be added to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).

3.  The applicant states that these awards are not shown on his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted in the Army on 17 February 1969 and completed infantry training in military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (light weapons infantryman).  He served in Vietnam from 13 July 1969 through 31 August 1969 and was honorably released from active duty on 16 February 1971.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Presidential Unit Citation as authorized awards.  

6.  The Board noted that the applicant is entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation which are not shown on his discharge document.

7.  The applicant’s records contain a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 25 July 2001, which shows the applicant was issued an award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Presidential Unit Emblem, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation which are not shown on his discharge document.  However, there is no evidence that the applicant’s discharge document was ever amended to show these awards.

8.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows that he was awarded an infantry MOS and served as a rifleman in Company C of the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, while assigned in Vietnam.

9.  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 Presidential Unit Citation for actions during the period 11 to 31 August 1969 based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 42, dated 1971.

10.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows entitlement to the Vietnam Service Medal.  His DA Form 20 shows he received credit for participation in the Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 Campaign.

11.  The applicant was entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 8, dated 1974.
12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS.  They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  The Awards Branch of the Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Records show the applicant served in an infantry MOS and was assigned to an infantry company in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  The applicant’s unit in Vietnam was cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show the Presidential Unit Citation.

3.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in one campaign during his assignment in Vietnam.  Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star.

4.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, his DD Form 214 will be amended to show this award.

5.  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 the individual concerned be corrected:

a.  by deleting the Vietnam Service Medal from item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214; and
b.  by amending item 24 of his DD Form 214 to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

INW_____  SK______  KAH____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Irene N. Wheelwright__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001061104	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20011115	
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.	107.0111	
2.	107.0031	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.