PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:    

	BOARD DATE:           6 March 2003                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002073050

	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. Edmund P. Mercanti		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Walter T. Morrison 		Chairperson	
	Ms. Linda D. Simmons		Member	
	Mr. Frank C. Jones		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 Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and his Bronze Star Medal (BSM) be added to his separation document.

3.  The applicant states that he has been told by Department of Veterans Affairs representatives that his awards were not properly recorded on his separation document.

4.  In support of his request he submits an award certificate for the BSM dated 31 May 1969.  It shows that the applicant was awarded the BSM for serving in Vietnam from 1 September 1968 to 30 April 1969.  The certificate was signed by the Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division.  Also given to the applicant was a 101st Airborne Division citation showing that he was awarded the BSM.

5.  Also submitted by the applicant is an award certificate for the ARCOM dated 18 January 1969.  It shows that the applicant was awarded the ARCOM for serving in Vietnam from 1 July 1968 to 30 November 1968.  The certificate was signed by the Commanding General, 101st Airborne Division.  Also given to the applicant was a 101st Airborne Division citation showing that he was awarded the ARCOM.

6.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted and entered on active duty on 1 December 1967.  

7.  He was awarded the military occupational specialty of combat engineer and was promoted to pay grade E-4.  

8.  He served in Vietnam from 4 May 1968 to 28 April 1969.

9.  He was honorably released from active duty on 28 November 1969.  His separation document shows that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, and marksmanship badges.

10.  In the processing of this case a review was made of the historical files of the applicant’s unit.  Those files did not contain any General Orders issuing the applicant the ARCOM.

11.  A review of the applicant’s military records show that he was awarded the ARCOM on General Orders Number 549, dated 18 January 1969.

12.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, shows that the applicant served in Vietnam during Counteroffensive IV which ended on 30 June 1968; Counteroffensive, Phase V, which started on 1 July 1968; Counteroffensive, Phase VI, which started on 2 November 1968; and Tet 69 Counteroffensive, which started on 23 February 1969.  This pamphlet also shows that the applicant was assigned to a unit in Vietnam which was awarded the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, FC.

13.  This pamphlet also states that all Army units serving in Vietnam between 20 July 1965 and 28 March 1973 are authorized the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s records contained a copy of his ARCOM orders.  As such, he is entitled to have this award entered on his separation document.

2.  However, there are no orders for the BSM in the applicant’s file or in the historical records of his unit.  Without some form of corroborating evidence, the Board cannot accept the certificates submitted by the applicant.

3.  While not requested by the applicant, he is also entitled to four bronze service stars for wear on his already issued Vietnam Service Medal.  He is also entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, FC.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by:

	a.  showing that the individual concerned was awarded four bronze service stars to be worn on his already issued Vietnam Service Medal; 

	b.  showing that he was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm;

	c.  showing that he was awarded the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, FC; and

	d.  adding the four bronze service stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, FC, along with the applicant’s ARCOM, to his separation document.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

___fcj___  ____lds__  ____wtm_  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___________Walter T. Morrison _______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002073050	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20030306	
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.