PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           25 APRIL 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002067704

	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:

	Ms. Joann Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. Geoge D. Paxson		Member	
	Mr. Charles Gainor		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 be corrected to show award of the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) and all other medals, decorations, and badges that he is entitled to. 

3.  The applicant made no statement, but submitted a copy of an award certificate and the narrative citation showing that he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.  He also submits copies of his DD Forms 214 showing the awards that he received for his military service from 1951 to his retirement in 1971. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered on active duty on          24 September 1951 and except for a short break in service in 1954, served on continuous active duty until his retirement on 31 December 1971.  The applicant’s five DD Forms 214 reflects the awards that he received.  His            31 December 1971, however, does not reflect all the awards shown on the previous four separation documents.  Those awards are the Army Commendation Medal (1st oak leaf cluster), the National Defense Service Medal (1st oak leaf cluster), the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp, the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge, and the United Nations Service Medal.  Further, his DD Forms 214 does not reflect all his awards.     

5.  The applicant served in Korea from June 1952 until November 1953, participating in three campaigns.  The unit to which he was assigned was awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for its actions while he was assigned to that unit.  His Enlisted Qualification Record reflects that award.

6.  The applicant served in Vietnam from October 1968 to October 1969, participating in four campaigns.  The unit to which he was assigned was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for its actions while he was assigned to that unit.

7.  The applicant’s records show that he was awarded the Expert Qualification Badge with rifle, pistol, and submachine gun bars.

8.  In addition to the documents he submits, the applicant’s records contain a copy of an 11 January 1972 letter order awarding the applicant the MSM.

9.  As a matter of information, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, the Government of the Republic of Korea issued the Korean War Service Medal to pay tribute to eligible Korean War veterans for their historic endeavors to preserve the freedom of the Republic of Korea and the free world.  On 20 August 1999, the Department of Defense approved acceptance and wear of this foreign award.  The Department of Defense has assigned responsibility to the Department of the Air Force for distribution of the Korean War Service Medal to eligible veterans of all services.  To apply, veterans must provide a copy of their discharge paper to the Awards and Decorations Section, Headquarter, Air Force Personnel Center, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4714. Once the Korean War Service Medal has been authorized by the Department of the Air Force, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to add this foreign award to his DD Form 214.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant participated in three campaigns during the Korean War and four campaigns in Vietnam.  His record should be corrected to show award of the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars (one for each campaign) and award of the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars. 

2.  The applicant’s record should reflect award of the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

3.  The applicant’s record should reflect award of the Expert Qualification Badge with rifle, pistol, and submachine gun bars.

4.  The applicant was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.  That award should be reflected on his DD Form 214.

5.  All the applicant’s awards, decorations, and badges should be reflected on his 31 December 1971 DD Form 214, to include those shown on his previous four DD Forms 214. 

6.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the applicant’s 31 December 1971 be corrected by showing that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (1st oak leaf cluster), the National Defense Service Medal (1st oak leaf cluster), the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp, the Ranger Tab, the Master Parachutist Badge, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, the Republic of 

Korea Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, the Expert Qualification Badge with rifle, pistol, and submachine gun bars, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
 
BOARD VOTE:  

__JL____  __GDP__  __CG ___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Joann Langston_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002067704	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020425	
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.	46	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.