IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 29 July 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080005493 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be amended to show a bronze service star. 2. The applicant states that he was discharged from active duty prior to award processing. He states that a follow-up DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards) was sent several years after his discharge which reflects this oversight and award of the Vietnam Service Medal as well. 3. The applicant provides a letter from the Office of the Adjutant General, Reserve Components Personnel and Administration Center, St. Louis, Missouri, dated 15 March 1977 and a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 14 March 1977. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 12 August 1963. At the completion of basic combat training and advanced individual training, he was awarded military occupational specialty 670.00 (single-rotor observation helicopter mechanic). 2. He was assigned to Vietnam on 10 September 1964 with the 6th Aviation Platoon as a Crew Chief. 3. The applicant departed Vietnam on 8 September 1965. He was credited with participation in the Vietnam Advisory Campaign and the Vietnam Defense Campaign. 4. Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam General Orders Number 1808, dated 8 December 1965, awarded the applicant the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service from January 1965 to September 1965. 5. The applicant was released from active duty on 11 August 1966. His DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal (First Award), the Air Medal (Fourteenth Award) with “V” Device, and the National Defense Service Medal as authorized awards. 6. Headquarters, Department of the Army General Orders Number 8, dated 1974, awarded all units which served in Vietnam the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. 7. The applicant provided a DA Form 1577, dated 14 March 1977, which shows he was issued a Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with (1960) Device. 8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal. 9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal. This medal was awarded by the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973. 10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Aircraft Crew Member Badge may be permanently awarded for successful completion of formal Advance Individual Training in career management field 67 military occupational specialties. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant’s DD Form 214 currently reflects award of the Vietnam Service Medal. He received credit for participation in two campaigns during the Vietnam War. Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show two bronze service stars for wear on his Vietnam Service Medal. 2. General orders show the applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Medal. Therefore, this award should be added to his DD Form 214. 3. All units in Vietnam were awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 8, dated 1974. Therefore, this foreign unit award should be added to his DD Form 214. 4. The applicant served a period of qualifying service in Vietnam for award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with (1960) Device. Therefore, this award should be added to his DD Form 214. 5. The evidence of record shows the applicant completed formal training as a single-rotor observation helicopter mechanic in MOS 670.00. Therefore, he has met the regulatory requirements for award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge. BOARD VOTE: __xx____ __xx____ ____xx__ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding two bronze service stars for wear on his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with (1960) Device, and the Aircraft Crew Member Badge to his DD Form 214. _______ _xxxx______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080005493 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080005493 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1