PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           24 OCTOBER 2002                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002069931

	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. Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Ms. Karen A. Heinz		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 all his awards be shown on his DD Form 214. 

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Good Conduct Medal; however, they are not listed on his DD Form 214.  He encloses orders showing award of the Bronze Star Medal and the Good Conduct Medal, but states that he does not have orders for the Combat Infantryman Badge; however, it only stands to reason that he received it.  He had an infantry MOS (military occupational specialty), was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, and was assigned to the 63d Infantry Platoon of combat trackers in the Americal Division. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on    9 January 1968, completed training as an infantryman, and in June of that year was assigned to Vietnam, where he underwent training with the United States Army Vietnam Dog Training Detachment.  In September 1968 he was assigned to the 63d Infantry Platoon Combat Tracker and promoted to pay grade E-4.  His enlisted qualification record shows his duty MOS as 11F20.  In December he was promoted to Sergeant.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service for the period June 1968 to June 1969. He returned to the United States in June 1969.  He participated in four campaigns during his tour in Vietnam.  The 63d Infantry Platoon was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm for its actions during the time the applicant was assigned to that unit.  

5.  The applicant was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period       9 January 1968 to 8 January 1970.  He was released from active duty on            8 January 1970 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.  His DD Form 214 does not show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, or the Army Good Conduct Medal.  It does show award of the Vietnam Service Medal but neglects to reflect the number of campaigns he participated in. 

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes Army policy and procedures concerning awards.  Paragraph 8-6 provides for award of the CIB.  That paragraph states that there are basically three requirements for award of the CIB.  The soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, he must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and he must actively participate in such ground combat.

7.  The combat tracker teams of the Vietnam War were small, highly-trained units usually consisting of five men and a Labrador Retriever.  They were a composite group and cross-trained, enabling all members to complete the mission.  The purpose of the combat tracker teams was to reestablish contact with the enemy, reconnaissance of an area for possible enemy activities, and locate lost or missing friendly personnel.  The methods used were visual and canine tactical tracking. The unit was usually supported by a platoon or larger force and worked well ahead of them to maintain noise discipline and the element of surprise. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Except for the period of time that he underwent training, the applicant was assigned to a combat tracker team throughout his tour in Vietnam.  He was an infantryman with an infantry platoon, and more than likely operating with infantry units, company size or smaller.  Although there is no evidence to show that he   engaged in combat, it is improbable that he served in a combat tracker team for approximately 9 months in 1968 and 1969 without participating in combat.  The designation of the team as “combat tracker” is itself an indication of the nature of his duties.  Any doubt concerning the applicant’s request should be resolved in his favor.  Therefore, it is appropriate to show that the applicant was entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. 

2.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal.  Those awards should be shown on his DD Form 214. 

3.  The applicant participated in four campaigns during his tour in Vietnam.  He is entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars (one for each campaign).

4.  The applicant is entitled to award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.

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 Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. 

BOARD VOTE:  

__RVO__  __BJE  __  __BJE___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002069931	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20021024	
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.