PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            26 April 2000     
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999029825

	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. Stanley Kelley		Chairperson	
	Ms. Karol A. Kennedy		Member	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		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, correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Oversea Service Bar and completion of Light Vehicle Driver School. 

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his records should be reviewed to determine whether he is entitled to the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Oversea Service Bar and whether his advanced individual training should be listed on his DD Form 214.  He also requests that excess leave be explained to him which will be addressed in a separate letter to the applicant.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214, a copy of a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards) dated 30 October 1992, a 7 April 1999 letter from a retail insignia company which states that the applicant’s unit is entitled to a Meritorious Unit Commendation and a copy of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record). 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 19 October 1965.  He trained as a light vehicle driver and served in Germany from 18 March 1966 through 24 August 1966 and served in Vietnam from 11 October 1966 through 23 May 1967.  On 24 May 1967, the applicant was honorably discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 6, for hardship. 

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge), which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Meritorious Unit Commendation or the Oversea Service Bar as authorized awards.  Item
25 (Education and Training Completed) on his DD Form 214 does not show completion of Light Vehicle Driver School. 

6.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records which shows he was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation.  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 applicant’s unit, the 444th Transportation Company, was not cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation while he was assigned to it.

7.  The applicant’s personnel records show that he served two oversea assignments, a 5-month assignment in Germany and a 7-month assignment in Vietnam.

8.  Item 27 (Military Education) on the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) indicates that he completed the Light Vehicle Driver School (8-week course) in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in 1966.  

9.  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 Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star for actions during the period 19 October 1966 to 24 April 1971.  This award is not shown on his DD Form 214.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), in pertinent part, states that effective 1 March 1961 the Meritorious Unit Commendation was authorized for units and/or detachments of the Armed Forces of the United States for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months in support of military operations.

11.  Army Regulation 670-1, in effect at the time, governs the requirements for the Oversea Service Bar.  In pertinent part, it provides that a bar is authorized for wear for each period of active Federal service as a member of the U.S. Army outside of the continental limits of the United States for the specific timeframes and areas of operation cited in Army Regulation 670-1 or appropriate Department of the Army message.  There is no authority stated in the governing regulation or Department of the Army message which authorizes award of Oversea Service Bars for Germany during the period March 1966 to August 1966.  

12.  Army Regulation 670-1, in effect at the time in question provides that, for Vietnam service, one Oversea Service Bar is authorized for each period of
6 months active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service in Vietnam from 1 July 1958 to 28 March 1973.  Both the month of arrival and the month of departure from Vietnam are counted as a whole months for credit toward the Overseas Service Bar. 

13.  Army Regulation 635-5 establishes the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part it states that item 25 (Education and Training Completed) will list formal in service training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed.  This information is to assist the soldier after separation in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills are not listed.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant’s unit was not cited for the Meritorious Unit Commendation while he was assigned to it; therefore, he is not entitled to this award.    

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served 7 months in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show the Oversea Service Bar.

3.  Evidence of record shows the applicant completed Light Vehicle Driver School in 1966; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this training. 

4.  The applicant’s unit was cited for the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star while he was assigned to it; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this foreign award. 

5.  In view of the foregoing finding and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:

a.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Oversea Service Bar and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star; and

b.  by showing the entry “Light Vehicle Driver School 8 Weeks March 1966” in item 25 (Education and Training Completed) on his DD Form 214.  

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

BOARD VOTE:  

SK______  KAK____  CLG____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Stanley Kelley________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999029825	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000426	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19670524	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 Chapter 6	
DISCHARGE REASON	Hardship	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0034	
2.	107.0079	
3.	107.0700	
4.		
5.		
6.