IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 December 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150005136 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 reconsideration of his request for award of the Bronze Star Medal. 2. The applicant states he found a copy of the orders awarding him the Bronze Star Medal. 3. The applicant provides: * Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division General Orders Number 892, dated 1 February 1969 * certificate for the award of the Bronze Star Medal * Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) Docket Number AR20140002873, dated 14 October 2014 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the ABCMR in Docket Number AR20140002873 on 14 October 2014. The new evidence warrants reconsideration by the Board. 2. On 19 January 1966, he enlisted in the Regular Army for 3 years. 3. He was assigned to Battery A, 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery in the Republic of Vietnam from 11 February 1968 - 8 January 1969. He participated in four campaigns. 4. On 15 August 1968, he was promoted to staff sergeant (SSG). 5. A DA Form 137 (Installation Clearance Record), dated 6 January 1969, was completed upon his transfer from Battery A, 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery. An entry was made in the Remarks block of the form stating he was recommended for the Army Good Conduct Medal and his conduct and efficiency were rated "excellent." 6. On 10 January 1969, he was released from active duty. He completed 2 years, 11 months, and 22 days. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or is authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Purple Heart * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar 7. Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division General Orders Number 892, dated 1 February 1969, awarded the applicant the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in the Republic of Vietnam during the period January 1968 - December 1968. He is identified on the orders as an SSG assigned to Battery A, 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery. 8. There is no evidence the applicant was disqualified by his chain of command for the award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. The available evidence does not show any indiscipline or lost time. His records do not contain any adverse information. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) records show he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his period of service. 9. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists campaign participation credit, assault landing credit, unit citation emblems awarded during the Vietnam Conflict. The 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery was awarded by general orders the: * Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period 1 May 1967 to 31 July 1968 * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 12 July 1965 to 16 October 1968 * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for the period October 1965 to 7 April 1970 10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states a bronze service star is authorized based on qualifying service for each campaign listed in Table B-1 (Campaigns, Service Requirements, and Inscriptions Prescribed for Streamers). Authorized service stars will be worn on the appropriate campaign medal, including the Vietnam Service Medal. 11. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Awards), in effect at the time, stated the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded to individuals who completed a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service. It stated 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. 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. The enlisted person must have had all "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings. There must have been no convictions by a court-martial. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant provided orders awarding him the Bronze Star Medal that correctly identified his rank and organization during the period of the award. 2. The applicant's records do not show any indiscipline or lost time, he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his period of military service, and there is no record of a commander's disqualification. The Commander, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery specifically recommended him for the Army Good Conduct Medal on the DA Form 137, dated 6 January 1969. The applicant meets the criteria for the first award of the Army Good Conduct Medal based on completion of qualifying service from 19 January 1966 to 10 January 1969. 3. He participated in four campaigns while in the Republic of Vietnam. He is authorized four bronze service stars to be worn on his Vietnam Service Medal. 4. He was assigned to Battery A, 1st Battalion, 5th Artillery during the period the unit was awarded the: * Meritorious Unit Commendation * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation BOARD VOTE: ____X___ ____X___ ____X___ 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 amendment of the ABCMR’s decision in Docket Number AR20140002873, dated 14 October 2014. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for the period of service from 19 January 1966 to 10 January 1969; and b. amending his DD Form 214 with an effective date of 10 January 1969 by deleting the Vietnam Service Medal and adding the: * Bronze Star Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) * Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars * Meritorious Unit Commendation * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation ____________X____________ 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) AR20150005136 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150005136 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1