PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           11 May 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999032322

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. James M. Alward		Member	
	Mr. Christopher J. Prosser		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 award of the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, the Marksman Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar, unspecified unit citations, unspecified campaign ribbons and any awards or decorations to which he may be entitled.    

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was qualified with the M-14 and the
.45 caliber pistol and that several unit citations and campaign ribbons are not shown on his discharge document.  The applicant also requests a copy of his 201 File.  This issue was addressed by separate correspondence to the applicant.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 23 September 1968 for a period of 3 years.  He served as a radio operator in Vietnam and was honorably discharged on 2 July 1971. 

5.  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) on the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign with 60 Device, the Army Commendation Medal and the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge (M-16) as authorized awards.  

6.  The applicant’s discharge document shows the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge (M-16) as an authorized award.  Orders for the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) are contained in the applicant’s personnel records.  However, the current regulation for military awards does not distinguish between qualification with the M-14 and M-16 rifles and recognizes qualification with all rifles by award of the “Rifle” component bar.  Therefore, this portion of the applicant’s request for correction of his military records to show award of the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar will not be discussed further in the proceedings.

7.  Headquarters United States Army Aviation Center and Fort Rucker Special Orders Number 144, dated 27 May 1971, shows the applicant was awarded the Marksman Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar.  

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 3, dated 1970.

9.  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.
10.  The applicant’s personnel records show that he served in Vietnam from 
19 March 1969 through 18 March 1970 and participated in three campaigns
(TET 69 Counteroffensive, 23 February 1969 through 8 June 1969; Vietnam Summer - Fall 1969, 9 June 1969 through 31 October 1969; and Vietnam Winter- Spring 1970, 1 November 1969 through 30 April 1970).  These campaigns are listed in Appendix B of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards).
 
11.  Review of the applicant’s records and Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) does not reveal entitlement to any additional awards.

12.  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, among which is the Vietnam Service Medal.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Marksman Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this badge.

2.  The applicant’s unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation 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 DD Form 214 to show these awards.

3.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in three campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam.  Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, the applicant is entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this medal.   

4.  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 Marksman Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation and the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  JMA____  CJP____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999032322	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000511	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19710702	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Early release for school	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0109	
2.	107.0110	
3.	107.0094	
4.	107.0095	
5.	107.0073	
6.