PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           20 June 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999029571

	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.  

	Mrs. Joyce A. Hughes		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Van B. Cunningham		Chairperson	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		Member	
	Mr. Ernest W. Lutz, Jr.		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 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show that he was awarded two Bronze Star Medals (BSM) and the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM).

3.   The applicant states in effect, that his official military records do not show that he was awarded two BSMs and the AGCM.  He furnishes a copy of a citation, a copy of General Orders #6546 and copies of awarding certificates in support of his application.

4.   The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 
18 July 1966, for 2 years.  He completed the required training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11E (Armor Crewman).

5.   He was assigned to the Republic of Vietnam from July 1967 to July 1968.  On 10 July 1968, the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves.  He completed 1 year, 11 months and 23 days of creditable active service.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows that his conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his period of service as “excellent”. The applicant’s DD Form 214, shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Service Medal.  His DD Form 214 does not show the BSMs or the AGCM as authorized awards.

6.   DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards) dated 28 April 
1987, awarded the applicant the BSM w/V device.

7.   Army Regulation 600-22-8 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

8.   Army Regulation 600-22-8 also provides, in pertinent part, that the Army Good Conduct Medal is 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 or 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 Pamphlet 672-3 shows that the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 1st Infantry Division was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for the period 31 January-
31 May 1968, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm for the period
12 July 1965 to 16 October 1968 and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class for the period 12 July 1966 to 7 April 1970.

10.   Army Regulation 670-1 prescribes the authorization for wear of uniforms and prescribes the awards, insignia and accouterments authorized for wear on the uniform.  In pertinent part, it states that a soldier may wear a unit award permanently if the individual was assigned to and present for duty with the unit any time during the period cited.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record and the evidence supplied by the applicant clearly shows that the applicant was entitled to and was awarded his first BSM w/V device for heroism in ground combat and his second BSM award for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces while serving in the Republic of Vietnam during the period July 1967 to July 1968.

2.  The evidence of record also shows that the applicant was assigned to a unit during the period of time it was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class.

3.  The records available to the Board indicated that the applicant met the regulatory requirements and was eligible to receive the AGCM for the period of 18 July 1966 to 10 July 1968.

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 be corrected by:

     a.  awarding the Army Good Conduct Medal to the individual concerned; and

     b.  correcting the applicant’s DD Form 214 to show the award of two Bronze Star Medals one with V device, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class.

BOARD VOTE:  

__vbc___  __jea___  __ewl___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Van B. Cunningham
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999029571	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000620	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0014	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.