PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           29 August 2002                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002069621

	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. W. Osborn, Jr. 		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Christopher J. Prosser		Member	
	Mr. Harry B. Oberg		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 Air Medal be added to the authorized awards listed on his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge)

3.  He states, in effect, that the Air Medal was simply omitted from his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant's military records show that he volunteered for induction and entered active duty 11 October 1967.  He completed training as an infantryman and reported to C Company, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 50th Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam on 9 July 1968.  He was hospitalized and medically evacuated to the United States on 3 May 1969.  He was separated early as an overseas returnee with an honorable characterization of service.  He was transferred to the Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training) on 18 June 1969.

5.  Item 24, of his DD Form 214 lists his authorized awards as the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart, and the Expert Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar.  It does not list the Air Medal.

6.  Item 41, (Awards) of the applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show the Air Medal.  A search of the unit records at the National Archives, College Park, Maryland failed to reveal any evidence to support the applicant's request for the Air Medal.

7.  His records do contain orders awarding him the Marksman Qualification Badge with Machinegun and Automatic Rifle Bars.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also authorizes a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each designated campaign listed in Appendix B of the regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate campaign or service medal.  A silver service star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars.  The regulation also lists the designated campaign periods for which a bronze service star is authorized for wear on the Vietnam Service Medal.  These include:  Counteroffensive V, ending on 1 November 1968; and Counteroffensive Phase VI, ending on 22 February 1969; Tet 69 Counteroffensive, ending on 8 June 1969.

9.  Department of the Army General Orders 8 of 1974 awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation to Headquarters, U.S. Army, Vietnam and subordinate units for the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Unfortunately, there is no available evidence to support the applicant's contention that he had been awarded the Air Medal.

2.  The applicant served in Vietnam during three designated campaign periods and is entitled to wear three bronze service stars on his Vietnam Service Medal.

3.  His unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

4.  He has been awarded the Marksman Qualification Badge with Machinegun and Automatic Rifle Bars.

5.  The above noted awards should be shown on his DD Form 214.

6.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, correcting the applicant’s records as recommended below will correct errors.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that, in addition to awards currently shown on his DD Form 214, the individual concerned is authorized three bronze service stars for wear on his Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Marksman Qualification Badge with Machinegun and Automatic Rifle Bars.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

_mkp____  _cjp   ___  _hbo ___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_Margaret K. Patterson
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002069621	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020829	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PARTIAL	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.