PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:     

	BOARD DATE:           18 July 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002066386

	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. W. E. Schnupp		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Member	
	Mr. John P. Infante		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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

3.  The applicant states that he was an 11H20, Infantry Direct Fire Crewman, and while in Vietnam was deployed on search and destroy missions, ran gun jeeps on convoys, cleared roads and was awarded the Purple Heart when wounded on a search and destroy mission.  He also served as a point man for 6 months while stationed in Vietnam.  He carried out long-range recon patrols and worked as an 11B (infantryman) for the majority of his Republic of Vietnam (RVN) tour.  He believes that he is entitled to the CIB and feels it would be an injustice to deny him an award that he earned and is entitled to.

4.  In support of his request, he provides a copy of his Enlisted Qualification Record (DA Form 20), showing that he was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11H, a citation, orders and a certificate showing that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and a certificate showing he was awarded the Purple Heart.

5.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 25 January 1966, was awarded MOS 11H and served as an ammunition bearer with the 1st Cavalry Division, in the RVN from July 1966 to July 1967.  He was honorably separated to the US Army Reserve upon expiration of his term of service on 24 January 1968, in the grade of specialist 4.

6.  His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars, the RVN Campaign Medal with device 1960, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, the Valorous Unit Award and the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

7.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 shows that he performed duty as an ammo bearer, duty MOS 11H20, with Company D, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) for practically his entire tour of duty in the RVN, except during a short period when he was a patient in the 7th Field Hospital.  During this assignment, he received the Purple Heart for wounds received on 30 April 1967. He also received the Army Commendation Medal for his RVN tour from July 1966 to July 1967.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides, in pertinent part, that the CIB is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer personnel 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, US Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the CIB was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G and 11H.

9.  The same regulation 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.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant held an infantry MOS, was assigned to an infantry unit for the entire length of his tour in RVN, and was wounded in combat and awarded the Purple Heart.  Based on these facts, it would be equitable to resolve any doubt as to his qualifications for the CIB in his favor and award him the CIB.

2.  Similarly, the applicant’s service was meritorious, as evidenced by his promotion to pay grade E-4, and award of the Army Commendation Medal.  Likewise, the record is devoid of any evidence of disciplinary action taken or contemplated against him.  As such, it would appear that the absence of the Good Conduct Medal for the period of his service from 25 January 1966 to 24 January 1968, was an error, and that award should also be added to his DD Form 214.

3.  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 

by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the CIB, and the Good Conduct Medal for the period 25 January 1966 to 24 January 1968.

BOARD VOTE:  

___sk___  ___rvo___  ____jpi__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_________Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr._
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002066386	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020718	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT PLUS)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  107.00		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.