PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           13 June 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999032348

	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:

	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon 		Chairperson	
	Mr. John H. Kern		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		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 Vietnam Service Medal and unspecified Vietnam campaign medals and weapons qualifications (correctly known as marksmanship qualification badges).

3.  The applicant states that upon completion of his tour in Vietnam, his personnel file never caught up to him at Fort Ord, California.  He contends that his unit then prepared a temporary personnel file on him and that at the time of his discharge his records were not present or complete.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214, a copy of his DA Form 
20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), a copy of separation orders from the USAR dated 22 January 1975, and a personal letter dated 29 September 1999.   

4.  The Disabled American Veterans, as counsel for the applicant, was notified of the applicant’s pending review by the Board; however, no brief was submitted. 

5.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 3 February 1969 for a period of 3 years.  He served as a wheel vehicle mechanic in Vietnam and was honorably discharged on 6 December 1971 and transferred to the USAR.  The applicant was separated on temporary records. 

6.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Vietnam Service Medal, any Vietnam campaign medals or marksmanship qualification badges as authorized awards. 

7.  The applicant’s personnel records show that he served in Vietnam from 
4 April 1970 through 3 April 1971 and participated in three campaigns
(Vietnam Winter- Spring 1970, 1 November 1969 through 30 April 1970; DA Sanctuary Counteroffensive, 1 May 1970 through 30 June 1970; and Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII, 1 July 1970 through 30 June 1971).   These campaigns are listed in Appendix B of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards).

8.  The applicant’s personnel records contain orders for award of the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in the Republic of Vietnam from 
4 April 1970 through 3 April 1971.  

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam.  This document shows the unit, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 1 July 1969 to 30 June 1970 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 51, dated 1970.  This award is not shown on his DD Form 214.  

10.  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 43, dated 1970.  This award is not shown on his DD Form 214.

11.  The available records fail to show that the applicant was awarded or qualified for a marksmanship qualification badge.  

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Service Medal.  This medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after
3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included attachment to or assignment for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.  This regulation 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.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  This medal was awarded by the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included assignment in Vietnam for 6 months or more and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces. Individuals who had qualified for award of the Vietnam Service Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and were evacuated prior to completing six months of service due wounds resulting from hostile action were entitled to award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

14.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, sets forth requirements for award of basic marksmanship qualification badge.  The qualification badge is awarded to indicate the degree in which an individual has qualified in a prescribed record course, and an appropriate bar is furnished to denote each weapon with which the individual has qualified.  The qualification badges are in three classes:  Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served in Vietnam from 4 April 1970 through 3 April 1971 and participated in three campaigns.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show award of the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.

3.  There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was awarded or qualified for a marksmanship qualification badge.  Therefore, he is not entitled to this award.  

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 Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

EB______  JHK____  BJE_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Elizabeth Buchanon__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999032348	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000613	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19711206	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration term of service	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0073	
2.	107.0110	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.