PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           27 April 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999030811

	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. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas A. Pagan		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		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 that the Purple Heart be added to his DD Form 214, Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge.

3.  The applicant makes no additional statement but provides a copy of orders awarding him the Purple Heart as supporting evidence.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 20 March 1967.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 91A, (Medical Corpsman).  He arrived in Vietnam on 20 August 1967 and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division where he performed duties as a medical corpsman.  General Orders 6540, Headquarters 9th Infantry Division, dated 8 August 1968 award the applicant the Purple Heart.  He departed Vietnam on 8 August 1968.

5.  The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 19 March 1970 after completing 3 years of creditable active service with no lost time.  His Personnel Qualification Record shows his conduct and efficiency had been rated as “excellent” throughout his enlistment.  

6.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations.  It stated that 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.  At the time, a soldier’s conduct and efficiency ratings must have been rated as “excellent” for the entire period of qualifying service.

7.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows the 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for the period 6 through 12 May 1968; the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for the period 1 December 1966 through 30 June 1968, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class for the period 19 December 1966 through 28 June 1969.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows the applicant had been awarded the Purple Heart.

2.  The evidence of record also shows that the applicant met the criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The evidence of record also shows that the applicant was assigned to a unit in Vietnam during a period of time it was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class.
4.  In view of the foregoing, it would be in the interest of justice to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 20 March 1967 through 19 March 1970.

2.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be corrected by adding the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class.

BOARD VOTE:  

__eb____  __tap___  __klw___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Elizabeth Buchanon
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999030811	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000427	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.04	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.