PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:           12 April 2000    
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999029819

	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.  

	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Mr. James P. Stueve		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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) and any additional medals to which he may be entitled.

3.  The applicant states that there is an error on his DD Form 214.  He contends that the DD Form 214 should read Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device and that he has an Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster).  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 23 September 1968 for a period of 2 years.  He served as a fire artillery crewman in Vietnam from 
13 March 1969 to 12 March 1970 and was honorably discharged on 5 November 1970.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, shows one award of the Bronze Star Medal and one award of the Army Commendation Medal.  

6.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device or the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) as authorized awards.      

7.  There are no orders in the applicant’s service personnel records which show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  There also is no evidence in his records that he was recommended for award of the Bronze Star Medal.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not list the Bronze Star Medal in item 41 (Awards and Decorations).

8.  Headquarters United States Army Vietnam General Orders Number 2473, dated 9 July 1969, shows the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for heroism on 28 April 1969 in Vietnam.

9.  Headquarters United States Army Vietnam General Orders Number 2763, dated 21 July 1969, shows the applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement on 30 March 1969.

10.  The applicant’s records contain Headquarters United States Army Vietnam General Orders Number 4196, dated 22 November 1969, which shows the applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for meritorious service in Vietnam for the period March 1969 to November 1969. 

11.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam.  This document shows the unit, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 6 June 1968 to 30 April 1969 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 39, dated 1970.

12.  Review of the applicant’s records and Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) does not reveal entitlement to any additional awards.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows one award of the Bronze Star Medal and one award of the Army Commendation Medal.

2.  There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  

3.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device.  

4.  Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that the applicant’s DD Form 214 should reflect the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, not the Bronze Star Medal.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device instead of the Bronze Star Medal.

5.  The applicant received two awards of the Army Commendation Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster).  

6.  The applicant was assigned to a unit when it was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.

7.  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: 

a.  by deleting the entries “Bronze Star Medal” and “Army Commendation Medal” in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the DD Form 214 of the individual concerned; and

b.  by showing that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, the Army Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Meritorious Unit Commendation in item 24 of his DD Form 214.

BOARD VOTE:  

RGH_____  BJE____ JPS_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Robert G. Hinkle______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999029810	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000412	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19701105	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration term of service	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0014	
2.	107.0020	
3.	107.0034	
4.		
5.		
6.