PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           16 JULY 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002068635

	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:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		Member	
	Mr. Donald P. Hupman, Jr.		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 DD Form 214 be corrected to show award of the Army Commendation Medal. 

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded that medal for his service in Vietnam; however, it is not shown on his DD Form 214.  He submits a copy of his DD Form 214, and a copy of a citation indicating that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for the period December 1967 to December 1968. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 28 June 1967, completed basic combat training, and was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri for advanced training.  On 9 October 1967 he received nonjudicial punishment for shoplifting and was reduced to the grade of E-1.  He was awarded the Expert Qualification Badge with rifle bar while at Fort Leonard Wood.

5.  In December 1967 the applicant was assigned to Company E, 65th Engineer Battalion of the 25th Infantry Division in Vietnam.  He was promoted to pay grade E-4 on 9 March 1968.  He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal per General Orders Number 7957, Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, dated           6 November 1968 for meritorious service from December 1967 to December 1968.  The applicant returned to the United States in January 1969.  He participated in five campaigns during his tour in Vietnam – Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase III; Tet Counteroffensive; Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase IV; Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase V; and Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VI.  The 65th Engineer Battalion 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 during the period the applicant was assigned to that organization.   

6.  The applicant was released from active duty on 29 January 1969 in the grade of E-4.  His DD Form 214 shows award of the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.  It does not show award of the Army Commendation Medal.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes the eligibility criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal, and states in pertinent part, that the 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.  The applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Medal.  That award should be reflected on his DD Form 214.
2.  He was awarded the Expert Qualification Badge with rifle bar and that award should be shown on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant served his country honorably and faithfully, notwithstanding the nonjudicial punishment he received early in his military service.  He is entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.

4.  The applicant is entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star (denoting participation in five campaigns), the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

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 this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Expert Qualification Badge with rifle bar, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

__FNE __  __MHM__  __DPH__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Fred N. Eichorn____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002068635	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020716	
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.