PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           13 April 2000                    
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999031708

	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. 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 Transfer or Discharge) to show the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Expert Badge (M-14) and the Expert Badge (M-16) (currently known as the Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar).

3.  The applicant states that he never received the medals when he was discharged and they should be shown on his DD Form 214.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214).

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted in the Army on 8 December 1965 and completed training as a canvas repairman.  He served in Vietnam from May 1967 through August 1967 and was discharged from active duty on 14 October 1967.

5.  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows entitlement to the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Expert Badge (M-14).  Therefore, these items will not be discussed further in this proceeding.  The applicant’s discharge document does not show that he qualified as an Expert with the M-16 Rifle.

6.  Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he qualified as an Expert with the M-16 Rifle on 17 February 1967 based on Headquarters, 100th Chemical Group, Special Order Number 51, dated 23 March 1967.

7.  The Board noted that the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star 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 II 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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Orders show that the applicant qualified as an Expert with the M-16 Rifle.  As a result, he is entitled to award of the Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. 

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 the applicant received credit for participation in one campaign during his tour in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show one bronze service star to be affixed to his Vietnam Service Medal.

4.  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 the individual concerned was awarded the Expert Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star.

BOARD VOTE:  

FE_____  CLA_____  SVW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Fred Eichorn__________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999031708	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000413	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.