PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           22 June 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999030821

	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.  

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		Chairperson	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Member	
	Mr. Roger Able		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 all awards and decorations for his Vietnam service and that all military occupational specialties (MOS) be shown.  He also requests that his DD Form 214 be corrected to show hospital admissions and unit assignments during his Vietnam service and that all completed military schools be reflected.     

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 is incorrect.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate or Release or Discharge from Active Duty) issued on 5 June 1999.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 31 May 1967 for a period of 3 years.  He served as a cook in Vietnam from 12 October 1968 through 11 October 1969 and was honorably discharged on 28 May 1970.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the National Defense Service Medal, two Overseas Service Bars, the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device as authorized awards.  Item 23a (Specialty Number & Title) of the DD Form 214 shows “94B20 Cook”.  Item 25 (Education and Training Completed) of the DD Form 214, in pertinent part, shows “USATC 8 weeks Food Svc Crse” [Food Service Course].

6.  A DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) was issued on 5 June 1999 amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 to show award of the Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

7.  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 1 December 1967 to 30 November 1968 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 36, dated 1970.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) also shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 53, dated 1970.

9.  The applicant’s personnel records indicate that he was awarded primary MOS 94B (cook) in September 1967.

10.  There are no entries on the applicant’s DD Form 214 which shows hospital admissions or unit assignments during his tour in Vietnam.     

11.  Item 27 (Military Education) on the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows the applicant completed the Food Service Course 
(8 weeks) in MOS 94B (cook) in 1967.  This item also shows that he completed On-Job-Training as a truck driver for 90 days in MOS 64B in 1969.      

12.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing discharge documents.  In pertinent, part, it directs that the primary MOS code number and title will be entered in item 23a.  

13.  Army Regulation 635-5 provides instructions for preparation for each specific block on the DD Form 214 and directs that an entry be provided in each block.  There is no authorized block on the DD Form 214 to show hospital admissions or unit assignments.  

14.  Army Regulation 635-5 further directs that service schools, including major courses which were successfully completed, and military sponsored courses completed in civilian schools and colleges during period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared will be entered in item 25. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s unit was cited for the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation while he was assigned to it.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show these awards. 

2.  The Board noted the applicant’s contention that his DD Form 214 does not list all of his MOS’s.  However, in accordance with the governing regulation, only the primary MOS will be shown in item 23a (Specialty Number & Title) on the DD Form 214.  Evidence of record shows the applicant’s primary MOS was 94B (cook) and item 23a on his DD Form 214 shows “94B20 Cook”.  Therefore, item 23a on the applicant’s DD Form 214 is correct as currently constituted.  

3.  The applicant’s contention that his DD Form 214 does not list hospital admissions and unit assignments during his Vietnam service is valid.  In accordance with the governing regulation, hospital admissions and unit assignments are not shown on the DD Form 214.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show these entries.   

4.  The Board noted the applicant’s contention that his DD Form 214 does not list all military schools he attended while in the service.  However, the applicant has provided no evidence to support this contention.  Item 25 (Education and Training Completed) on the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows that he completed an eight-week Food Services Course in 1967.  His records also indicate that he received On-Job-Training in MOS 64B (truck driver) for 90 days in 1969.  Yet, the governing regulation, states that only service schools, including major courses which were successfully completed, and military sponsored courses completed in civilian schools and colleges during period covered by the DD Form 214 will be entered in item 25 (Education and Training Completed).  Therefore, item 25 on the applicant’s DD Form 214 is correct as currently constituted.    
  
5.  In view of the foregoing findings 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 by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

LLS____  AAO_____  RA______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Luther L. Santiful__________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999030821	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000622	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19700528	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR635-200 Chapter 2  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration Term of Service	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0034	
2.	107.0095	
3.	100.0500	
4.	100.0700	
5.		
6.