PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                              
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AR1999030955

	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. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Member	
	Mr. Van B. Cunningham		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.

3.  The applicant states that he received the Bronze Star Medal in a ceremony in Vietnam in March 1969, but there was no paperwork ever completed to indicate this on his DD Form 214.  He also states that he never received the actual certificate for the Bronze Star Medal like he did for the Purple Heart, Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal.  The applicant provided a copy of his DD Form 214 in support of his application.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted in the Army on 10 October 1967, completed infantry training and served in Vietnam from 25 March 1968 to 24 March 1969.  He was honorably discharged from active duty in the pay grade of E-5 on 9 October 1969. 

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, which is authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Bronze Star Medal as an authorized award.

6.  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).

7.  The Board notes that the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars which are not shown on his discharge document.

8.  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 8, dated 1974.

9.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 shows he received credit for participation in the Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase IV and Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase V in item 39 (Campaigns).  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence of record, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

3.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant received credit for participation in two campaigns during his tour in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show two bronze service stars to be affixed to his Vietnam Service Medal.

4.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would 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 the individual concerned was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  MKP____  VBC_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999030955	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000315	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.