PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:     

	BOARD DATE:          06 NOVEMBER 2003                    
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2003087703

	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. Stanley Kelley		Chairperson	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		Member	
	Ms. Mae M. Bullock		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 record be corrected to show award of the Air Medal, Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster. 

3.  The applicant states that when he received his military records he discovered that he was awarded the above-mentioned medals.  The applicant attaches copies of orders showing awards that he received.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 23 June 1966, completed training as an infantryman, and in December 1966 was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry of the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam.  He participated in two campaigns during his tour in Vietnam, and the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry was awarded the Valorous Unit Award and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm for its actions while the applicant was assigned to that organization.  The applicant was promoted to sergeant on 30 June 1967.  

5.  The applicant returned to the United States and in January 1968 was assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado.  He was released from active duty on          21 June 1968 in the rank of sergeant and transferred to the Army Reserve Control Group at St. Louis with an honorable characterization of service.  His    DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows award of the National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

6.  Orders published by Headquarters, Fort Polk, show that the applicant was awarded the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with rifle bar on      16 October 1966 and the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with machine gun bar on 17 October 1966.

7.  Orders published by Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division on 18 August 1967 show that the applicant was awarded the Air Medal for the period December 1966 to August 1967; and that on 26 September 1967, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service for the period December 1966 to December 1967.  The applicant was wounded in action on 27 August 1967.  On 6 October 1967, the 616th Medical Company (Clearing) awarded him the Purple Heart. 

8.  There is no evidence and the applicant has not provided any to indicate a second award of the Bronze Star Medal.

9.  The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.

CONCLUSIONS:

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

2.  The applicant is entitled to award of the Valorous Unit Award and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm. 

3.  The applicant was awarded the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with rifle bar, the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with machine gun bar, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart.  Those awards should be reflected on his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant served his country faithfully and honorably as evidenced by his record.  He is entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.

5.  There is no evidence that the applicant was awarded or recommended for award of a second Bronze Star Medal; consequently, his request for award of the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster cannot be granted.

6.  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 showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with rifle bar, the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with machine gun bar, the Air Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. 

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__SK ___  __RJW__  __MMB__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_____Stanley Kelley______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003087703	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20031106	
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.