PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            13 April 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999030954

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Ms. Celia L. Adolphi		Member	
	Ms. Sherri V. Ward		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 Separation from Active Duty) to show the fourth digit of his Social Security Account Number (SSAN) as an “8” instead of a “6”.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that the fourth digit of his SSAN is incorrect on his DD Form 214.  He also states that the Purple Heart issued in 1971 is not listed on his DD Form 214.  He further states that he was assigned to the Americal Infantry Division after the first fire fight and received the Combat Infantryman Badge.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his Social Security Card, copy of DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards) and a copy of his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 29 September 1972 as a light weapons infantryman.  He served in Vietnam from 23 September 1970 to 13 April 1971 and was honorably discharged on 15 January 1976.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, the Good Conduct Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” Device.

6.  The applicant’s records contain a copy of DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty), dated 26 March 1976, which amended his DD Form 214, to show his correct SSAN as shown on his Social Security Card.  Therefore, this portion of the applicant’s request is not discussed further in this proceedings. 

7.  The DA Form 1577, dated 28 July 1999, provided by the applicant shows the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined that the applicant was entitled to the Purple Heart and the Marksman Marksmanship Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar.  These awards are not shown on his DD Form 214.

8.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records, which show that he 
was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  Records show he served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry unit in combat during his service in Vietnam.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS.  They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  The Awards Branch of the Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.
10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 42, dated 1972.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Purple Heart, the Marksman Marksmanship Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

2.  Evidence of record shows that he served as a light weapons infantryman (11B) in an infantry company in combat while serving in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  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 showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart, the 
Marksman Marksmanship Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

BOARD VOTE:  

_FE_____  CLA____  SVW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Fred Eichorn_________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999030954	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000413	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19760115	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  61		
2.  157		
3.  46		
4.		
5.		
6.