PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            1 May 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003083466

	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. William Blakely		Analyst	

The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Thomas B. Redfern		Chairperson	
	Ms. Linda D. Simmons		Member	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		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, in effect, that his separation document (DD Form 214) be corrected to show all awards and decorations to which he is entitled. 

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 does not list all the awards he earned during his active duty tenure.  He states that a correction of his DD Form 214 is needed to support a pending service connected disability claim he has pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and an Authorization for Issuance of Awards (DA Form 1577). 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that on 8 July 1971, he was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD), by reason of early separation of overseas returnee, after completing 2 years, 7 months, and 19 days of active military service. 

5.  The applicant’s Enlisted Qualification Record (DA Form 20) confirms that he served in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) from 9 July 1970 to 8 July 1971, and that he participated in two campaigns.  It also shows that while he was serving in the RVN, he was assigned to Company H, 75th Infantry Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Division, and he performed duties in military occupational specialty 63B (Wheel Vehicle Repairman).

6.  The DD Form 214, issued to and signed by the applicant on the date of his separation confirms that he held the rank and pay grade of specialist four/E-4 on that date.   This document also shows that during his active duty tenure, he earned the following awards:  Bronze Star Medal; Air Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device.

7.  The applicant’s Military Personnel Records Jacket (MPRJ) includes a copy of General Orders Number 1028, dated 29 June 1971, issued by Headquarters, 
3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, RVN, which awarded him the Bronze Star Medal, 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, with Valor (“V”) Device.  It also contained a copy of Special Orders Number 15, dated 15 January 1969, issued by Headquarters, US Army Armor Training Center, Fort Knox, Kentucky, which awarded him the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar and Unit Orders Number 21, dated 11 May 1970, issued by Headquarters, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 504th Infantry Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, which awarded him the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with the Automatic Rifle Bar.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) sets forth Department of the Army criteria, policy and instructions concerning individual military awards.  Paragraph 2-13 contains guidance on awarding the Vietnam Service Medal.  It states, in pertinent part, that a bronze service star is authorized with this award for each campaign a member participated in while serving in the RVN. 

9.  Table B-1 of Army Regulation 600-8-22 lists all campaigns, service requirements, and inscriptions for streamers.  It confirms that during the applicant‘s tenure of assignment in the RVN, he was credited with participating in the following two campaigns:  Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII, which covered the period 1 July 1970 through 30 June 1971; and Consolidation I, which covers the period 1 July 1971 through 30 November 1971.   

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in the RVN.  This document confirms that during his tenure of assignment in the RVN, the applicant’s unit received the Valorous Unit Award and the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board notes the applicant’s contention that his DD Form 214 does not reflect all the awards to which he is entitled, and it finds this claim has merit.  

2.  The evidence of record confirms that orders were published awarding the applicant the BSM 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster with “V” Device, the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with the Automatic Rifle Bar, and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with the Rifle Bar.  Thus, the Board concludes that it would be appropriate to add these earned awards to his separation document at this time. 

3.  In addition, the record verifies that based on his campaign participation and unit service in the RVN, the applicant is entitled to two bronze service stars with his Vietnam Service Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, and the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.  Therefore, the Board also finds that it would be appropriate to add these awards to his record at this time.  

4.  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 for the individual concerned be corrected by showing that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster with “V” Device, Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Automatic Rifle Bar), and Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Rifle Bar); by showing that he is entitled to two bronze service stars with his Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and Valorous Unit Award; and by providing him a corrected separation document that reflects these awards.

BOARD VOTE:  

__jm____  __lds____  ___tbr___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Thomas B. Redfern____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002083466	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	2003/05/01	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 60	107.0014	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.