PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           1 June 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999032021

	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
Mr. David H. Keller		Director
Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James C. Hise 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

3.  The applicant states that he was involved in combat and came under enemy fire numerous times while a member of a weapons squad with a light weapons infantry unit.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 30 January 1968 and was trained in military occupational specialty (MOS) 11C, Infantry Indirect Fire Crewman.  After training, he was assigned to Vietnam, where he served with the 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry.  His time served in Vietnam is recorded as 28 June 1968 through 29 June 1969, a period during which five campaigns were conducted.

5.  On 21 May 1969, General Orders Number 4207, Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, announced the award of the Army Commendation Medal to the applicant for meritorious service for the period June 1968 to June 1969.

6.  On 9 August 1969, General Orders number 8393, Headquarters, 1st Infantry Division, announced the award of the Soldier’s Medal to the applicant for heroism on 7 June 1968 (sic) not involving actual conflict with an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam.

7.  The applicant was honorably separated on 29 January 1970 at Fort Benning, Georgia.  His DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows his awards and decorations as the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), and Marksmanship Badge (Rifle).

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes Army policy and procedures concerning awards.  There are basically three requirements for award of the CIB.  The soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, he must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat against a hostile force, and he must actively participate in such ground combat.

9.  The regulation also provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  A record of punishment is not automatically disqualifying; however, at that time, a single efficiency rating of less than excellent was disqualifying.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.

10.  The regulation additionally provides for the award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.  A silver service star is worn instead of five bronze service stars.

11.  Army Pamphlet 672-3 lists the time periods for which various units were awarded unit citations.  The organization to which the applicant was assigned in Vietnam was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal during the period of his assignment.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms that the applicant was an infantryman and met the requirements for award of the CIB during the Vietnam War.  He also met the qualifications for award of the Good Conduct Medal.  

2.  The evidence also confirms that the applicant was awarded the Soldier’s Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.  It is noted that the 7 June 1968 date of action on the order for the Soldier’s Medal is probably incorrect as the applicant did not depart Fort Lewis, Washington, enroute to Vietnam until 9 June 1968.

3.  The applicant served under five campaigns during his service in Vietnam and is entitled to four Bronze Service Stars with his Vietnam Service Medal.

4.  The applicant is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal based on his assignment with the 2d Battalion, 18th Infantry, in Vietnam.

5.  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:

    a.  Awarding the individual concerned the Combat Infantryman Badge based on his service as an infantryman in the Vietnam War; the Good Conduct Medal for the period 30 January 1968 through 29 January 1970; four Bronze Service Stars with his Vietnam Service Medal; the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm; and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal; and

    b.  Amending his DD Form 214 to add the Soldier’s Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

_jch____  __rvo___  __mhm___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		      __James C. Hise___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999032021	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000601	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.