PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           21 MAY 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002068155

	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. Jennifer L. Prater		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Mr. Thomas Lanyi		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 the award of the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with rifle bar, be reflected on his DD Form 214.  He also requests that his birth date on that form be corrected. 

3.  The applicant states that he wants to have a correct DD Form 214.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Army for three years on 3 October 1966.  His birth date on his enlistment record is 15 July 1949.  He was trained as a wireman and in March 1967 was assigned to an artillery battery in Germany.  

5.  The applicant was promoted to pay grade E-4 on 19 February 1968.  Orders  show that he was awarded the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with rifle bar. 

6.  In February 1969 the applicant was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam.  On 12 March 1969 the applicant was promoted to Sergeant.  He returned to the United States in September 1969.  The applicant participated in three campaigns during his tour in Vietnam.  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.  He was released from active duty on 18 September 1969 in the rank of Sergeant.  He had 2 years, 11 months, and 16 days of service.  His                 DD Form 214 shows award of the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Marksman Qualification Badge with rifle bar.  His date of birth shown on that form is 15 July 1948.   

7.  The applicant submits a copy of a 101st Airborne Division citation awarding him the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement during the period           1 February 1969 to 30 June 1969.  He also submits a copy of orders awarding him the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service from 1 October 1968 to 31 May 1969.

8.  The applicant submits a certified abstract of his birth certificate showing that his date of birth is 15 July 1949.

9.  The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service.  One of the qualifying periods of service for the award is upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 3 years but more than 1 year (for first award only).

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Orders show that the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with rifle bar.  Consequently, his DD Form 214 should reflect those awards. 
2.  Although there are no orders showing award of the Army Commendation Medal, it would appear that the citation that he submits with his request is authentic, and that he was in fact awarded that medal.  Consequently, the Board accepts his contention that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.  That award should be shown on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant served his country faithfully and honorably as reflected by his record.  He is entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.

4.  The applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  He is also entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars (one for each campaign). 

5.  The applicant’s date of birth is 15 July 1949.

6.  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 Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with rifle bar, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars.  His record should also be corrected to show that his date of birth is 15 July 1949.  

BOARD VOTE:  

__JLP___  __BJE   _  __TL____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Jennifer L. Prater__ _
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002068155	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020521	
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.	100.00	
2.	107.00	
3.	3	
4.	46	
5.		
6.