PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           11 APRIL 2002 
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001061766

	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. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Richard T. Dunbar		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, in effect, that his records be corrected to reflect award of the Army Commendation Medal, that the Army Commendation Medal orders be corrected to reflect the correct spelling of his first name (Alan vice Allen) and correct SSAN (social security account number), and that his Air Medal orders be corrected to reflect his correct SSAN (social security account number).  In support of his request, he submits a copy of orders awarding him the Army Commendation Medal and evidence which supports the correct spelling of his name and correct SSAN.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 
16 August 1967 and in March 1968 was assigned to Vietnam as a wireman with Company B, 53rd Signal Battalion.  He remained with that unit until March 1969 when he was reassigned to the 227th Aviation Battalion (Assault Helicopter) of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) as a door gunner.

4.  In April 1969 he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement during the period 3 April 1969 to 12 April 1969.  In August 1969 the applicant returned to the United States.  Shortly before his departure from Vietnam, he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal for the meritorious service during the period March 1969 to September 1969.  Orders issued by the 1st Cavalry Division on 18 August 1969 confirmed the award.  The award orders, which do reflect his correct SSAN, reflect his first name as "Allen" when in fact it should be "Alan."

5.  On 10 September 1969, after the applicant's departure from Vietnam, he was awarded his second thru thirty-eighth (first thru thirty-seventh oak leaf cluster) awards of the Air Medal recognizing his meritorious achievement between April 1969 to August 1969.  His social security number on the award orders is incorrect.  The applicant's correct social security number is consistently reflected in other document throughout his military personnel file and confirmed in documents provided in support of his request.

6.  The applicant was released from active duty on 2 June 1970.  Although his separation document does reflect entitlement to one Air Medal, his subsequent awards of the Air Medal were omitted from his separation document, as was his Army Commendation Medal.

7.  By virtue of his tour of duty in Vietnam between March 1968 and August 1969 the applicant is entitled to a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation, and one bronze and one silver service star on the Vietnam Service Medal reflected on his separation document.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was awarded an Army Commendation Medal which was omitted from his separation document.  Although the applicant's SSAN is correct on those orders his first name is incorrectly recorded as "Allen" vice "Alan."  It would be appropriate to amend his Army Commendation Medal orders to reflect the correct spelling of his first name.

2.  The Board also concludes that the applicant was awarded a total of 38 awards of the Air Medal.  However, only his first award was recorded on his separation document.  The Board believes his subsequent awards were omitted from his separation document, not because his SSAN was incorrectly recorded on the award orders, but because the orders were published shortly prior to his return to the United States.  As such the Board concludes it would be appropriate to add the applicant's additional 37 awards of the Air Medal to his separation document.

3.  Additionally, in the interest of clarity the Board concludes that it would be appropriate to amend his Air Medal orders to reflect his correct SSAN as it is recorded throughout his military personnel file and as confirmed on the copy of his Social Security Card, which he provided in support of his request.  

4.  The Board notes that the applicant is also entitled to a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation, and one bronze and one silver service star on the Vietnam Service Medal, by virtue of his assignment in Vietnam between March 1968 and August 1969.  His records should be corrected accordingly.

5.  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: 

a.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded an Army Commendation Medal and 38 awards of the Air Medal; 

b.  by showing that he is entitled to a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Republic of 

Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation, and one bronze and one silver service star on the Vietnam Service Medal. 

c.  by amending his August 1969 Air Medal orders to show his correct SSAN; and

d.  by amending his Army Commendation Medal orders to show the correct spelling of his first name.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__MKP__  __EJA __  __RTD __  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Margaret K. Patterson__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001061766	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020411	
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.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.