PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           13 August 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002073374

	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	
	Ms. Nancy L. Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ted S. Kanamine		Member	
	Ms. Lana E. McGlynn		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 add the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device.

3.  The applicant states that he received the requested medals after his discharge.  He provides the orders as supporting evidence.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on    3 April 1968.  He arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to the 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division on 20 March 1969 as an infantry squad leader.  He was assigned to Company H, 75th Infantry, on 15 June 1969.  He was reassigned back to the 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Air Cavalry Division on        13 August 1969.  He departed Vietnam on 30 December 1969 after receiving credit for two campaigns.  He was released from active duty on 2 January 1970 after completing 1 year and 9 months of creditable active service with no lost time.  His Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20, shows that his conduct and efficiency were rated as excellent throughout his service.  

5.  General Orders 6981, Headquarters, 1st Air Cavalry Division dated 3 June 1969 awarded the applicant the Purple Heart for wounds received on 29 May 1969.  General Orders 16810, Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) dated 27 December 1969 awarded him the Bronze Star Medal.  General Orders 838, Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) dated 14 January 1970 awarded the applicant the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for action on 14 November 1969.

6.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations.  It stated that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service completed on or after 27 August 1940 and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year.  At the time, a soldier’s conduct and efficiency ratings must have been rated as “excellent” for the entire period of qualifying service.  It also provided for the wear of one bronze service star on the appropriate service medal for each credited campaign.

7.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that Company H, 75th Infantry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation for the period 1 February 1969 – 1 February 1970.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant has provided sufficient evidence to show he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device.  He is also authorized to wear two bronze service stars on the Vietnam Service Medal.

2.  The applicant met the eligibility criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 3 April 1968 – 2 January 1970.

3.  The applicant was assigned to a unit during a period of time that unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation and so is authorized to wear this unit award.

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 awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 3 April 1968 – 2 January 1970.

2.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be amended to add the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation and to show he is authorized to wear two bronze service stars with the Vietnam Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__FNE__  __ TSK  _  __LEM __  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Fred N. Eichorn  _
		   CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002073374	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	2002/08/13	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.04	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.