PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           25 April 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002068644

	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	
	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Joann Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. George 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 Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, be amended to show his rank and grade as Sergeant (SGT), E-5 and to add the Bronze Star Medal (BSM), the Valorous Unit Emblem (i.e., the Valorous Unit Award), and the United Nations Service Medal.

3.  The applicant makes no additional statement.  He provides his DD Form 214, his BSM certificate, and an Authorization for Issuance of Awards, DA Form 1577, dated 21 January 1983 as supporting evidence.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 20 February 1969.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11C (Infantry Fire Crewman).

5.  The applicant arrived in Vietnam on or about 21 July 1969 and was assigned to Company B, 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade on 3 August 1969 as a rifleman.  He was wounded on 13 January 1970 and assigned to the Medical Holding Company, 106th General Hospital on 16 January 1970.  He was medically evacuated to the States and assigned to Valley Forge General Hospital on 28 January 1970.  He was credited with having served during two Vietnam campaigns.

6.  General Orders 1687, Headquarters, Americal Division dated 20 February 1970 awarded the applicant the BSM for service.

7.  Special Orders 36, Valley Forge General Hospital dated 16 February 1971 promoted the applicant to SGT, E-5.  He was placed on the Temporary Disability Retired List on 10 March 1971.  His DD Form 214 shows his rank as Specialist Four, E-4 and his date of rank as 19 December 1969.  In addition to the awards shown on his DD Form 214, the DA Form 1577 dated 21 January 1983 authorized issuance of the BSM, the Valorous Unit Emblem (i.e., the Valorous Unit Award), the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, the Expert Badge with Mortar Bar and Hand Grenade Bar and the Marksman Badge with Pistol and Automatic Rifle Bars.  The weapons qualification badges are verified with orders on file.  

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations.  It states that the United Nations Service Medal was awarded for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954 in Korea or adjacent areas on behalf of the United Nations.  It states that one bronze service star is worn on the appropriate service medal for each credited campaign.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet shows the 3d Battalion, 1st Infantry was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for the period 11 – 31 August 1969 and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period         24 August – 31 December 1969.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows the applicant was promoted to SGT, E-5 on   16 February 1971.

2.  The evidence of record shows the applicant served in Vietnam during two campaigns and was awarded the BSM and was assigned to a unit during a period of time that unit was awarded the Valorous Unit Award and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

3.  The evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Expert Badge with Mortar Bar and Hand Grenade Bar and the Marksman Badge with Pistol and Automatic Rifle Bars in addition to the weapons qualification badges shown on his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant did not meet the eligibility requirements for award of the United Nations Service Medal.  Although the DA Form 1577 authorized issuance of this medal to him, it would not be appropriate to add it to his DD Form 214.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214:

     a.  items 5a, 5b, and 6 be amended to show he separated as a Sergeant, E-5 with a date of rank of 16 February 1971;

     b.  item 24 to delete the Vietnam Service Medal; and

     c.  item 24 to add the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars; the Bronze Star Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Expert Badge with Mortar Bar and Hand Grenade Bar, and the Marksman Badge with Pistol and Automatic Rifle Bars.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__jl____  __gdp___  __cg____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Joann Langston
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002068644	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020425	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.00	
2.	110.04	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.