PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           076-42-9798                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002068670

	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. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright		Member	
	Mr. Jose A. Martinez		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 Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) be added to his DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was awarded the ARCOM and the BSM in Vietnam but they do not appear on his separation document.  In support of his request, he submits copies of ARCOM and BSM certificates showing himself as the recipient, and a copy of his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 26 September 1968, was trained as an infantryman, military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B, but served in Vietnam from 3 March 1970 to 13 April 1971, as a parachute packer maintenance air drop specialist (MOS 43E), with the Supply and Transport Battalion of the 25th Infantry Division.  He was honorably separated under the early separation of overseas returnee program in the grade of specialist 5 on 14 April 1971.  The record does not reflect any disciplinary action or lost time during his 2 years, 7 month and 19 day enlistment and his conduct and efficiency were always rated as excellent.

5.  Awards shown on his DD Form 214 include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  His DA Form 20, Enlisted Qualification Record, shows that in addition to the foregoing, he was also awarded the Parachutist Badge and the Expert Badge with rifle and grenade bars.  The record does not show that he was awarded the ARCOM or the BSM.

6.  On 7 August 2002, a member of the Army Review Boards Agency, Screening Team, reviewed historical records of the 25th Infantry Division and II Field Forces Vietnam, at the National Archives, College Park, Maryland.  That review found that the applicant had been awarded the ARCOM, per Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders 9638 dated 18 September 1970, and the BSM, per Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, General Orders 1027 dated 1 April 1971. 

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides in pertinent part, that the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM) is awarded on a selective basis to soldiers who distinguish themselves from among their fellow soldiers by their exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.  For first award only, upon termination of 

service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year.  The lack of disqualifying comments by a commander qualifies the use of such period toward the award.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, shows that during the period of the applicant’s assignment to the 25th Supply and Transport Battalion, the unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Documentary evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the ARCOM and the BSM and is entitled to have these awards shown on his DD Form 214.

2.  Additionally, based on his assignment to the unit when it qualified for the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, he is also entitled to have these awards shown on his DD Form 214, as well as the Parachutist Badge and the Expert Marksmanship Badges that appear on his DA Form 20 but not his separation document.

3.  Finally, his record shows that during his active duty from 26 September 1968 to 14 April 1971, he attained the grade of E-5 and his conduct and efficiency were consistently rated as excellent.  It would appear therefore that he met the criteria for award of the Good Conduct Medal and it would be appropriate to also include this award on his DD Form 214.

4.  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 ARCOM, the BSM, the AGCM, the Parachutist Badge, the Expert Badge with rifle and grenade bars, 

the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class.

BOARD VOTE:  

___jam__  ________  ________  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__________John N. Slone________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002068670	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020815	
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.