PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           10 September 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002074237

	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	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Mr. William D. Barr		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 (PH), the Bronze Star Medal (BSM), and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The applicant states that he earned the PH, BSM, and Army Good Conduct Medal.  His DD Form 149 indicates that a write-up and citation for the BSM were provided but they are not available.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on    9 August 1967.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11H (Heavy Weapons Infantryman).

5.  The applicant arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to I Corps, U. S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam on 6 September 1968.  He was awarded the PH on General Orders 3697, Headquarters, U. S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam dated 31 October 1968 for wounds received in action on 14 October 1968.  He departed Vietnam on or about 29 July 1969 after being credited with four campaigns and was released from active duty on 29 July 1969 after completing 1 year, 11 months, and 21 days of creditable active service with no lost time.  

6.  A review of the historical files of I Corps, U. S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam at the National Archives, College Park, MD revealed the applicant was awarded the BSM on General Orders 4503, U. S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam dated 29 July 1969.

7.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.  His Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20, item 38 shows his conduct and efficiency were rated as excellent throughout his service.  Item 29 shows he was awarded the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar and the Expert Qualification Badge with Mortar Bar.

8.  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.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, the current regulation concerning individual military awards, provides for the award of one bronze service star for each credited campaign to be worn on the appropriate service medal.

10.  Department of the Army General Orders 8, 1974, announced award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation to Headquarters,   U. S. Military Assistance Command and its subordinate units during the period    8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973 and to Headquarters, U. S. Army Vietnam and its subordinate units during the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded, in addition to those awards and decorations listed on his DD Form 214, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Expert Qualification Badge with Mortar Bar.

2.  The evidence of record shows the applicant met the eligibility criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 9 August 1967 – 29 July 1969.  The evidence of record shows that he is eligible to wear four bronze service stars on the Vietnam Service Medal.

3.  The evidence of record shows the applicant was assigned to a unit which was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and so he is eligible 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 9 August 1967 – 29 July 1969.

2.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be amended to add the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge 

with Rifle Bar, and the Expert Qualification Badge with Mortar Bar and to show he is authorized to wear four bronze service stars with the Vietnam Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__FNE __  __ BJE  _  __WDB __  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Fred N. Eichorn  _
		   CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002074237	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	2002/09/10	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.04	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.