MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:             25 July 2000                 
	DOCKET NUMBER:    AR1999032933

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. W. E. Schnupp		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Ted S. Kanamine		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Member	
	Mr. John H. Kern		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That he be awarded the Combat Medical Badge (CMB).

APPLICANT STATES:  He was a combat medic in Vietnam and his military occupational specialty (MOS) has been changed to reflect that on his military records.

In support of his request, he has provided a copy of DD Form 215 (Correction of DD Form 214), dated 9 March 1976, showing that he was awarded the Secondary (SMOS) of 91B20, Medical Specialist, 

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

He enlisted in the Regular Army for 3 years on 10 January 1968 and completed training as a Medical Corpsman (MOS 91A) and was subsequently awarded MOS 71G (Medical Records Specialist) also.  He served in Vietnam from August 1969 to October 1970 as a Medical Specialist, MOS 91B and Medical Records Specialist MOS 71G, with the 58th Medical Battalion then the 185th Medical Detachment.  He was honorably separated from active duty upon completion of his term of service on 25 June 1971 in the grade of private first class.

His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge and the Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar.

The applicant’s separation document (DD Form 214) does not show the CMB as an authorized award nor does his record contain any evidence that he was recommended for or awarded the CMB.

Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides in pertinent part, that medical personnel, assigned or attached by appropriate orders to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size, or to a medical unit of company or smaller size, organic to an infantry unit of brigade or smaller size, during any period the infantry unit is engaged in actual ground combat, are eligible for award of the CMB, provided they are personally present and under fire during such ground combat.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The applicant has submitted no evidence and his record contains no evidence to substantiate that he was a combat medic assigned or attached to an infantry unit under fire during his assignment in Vietnam.  Award of the MOS 91B and assignment in a combat area are not sufficient criteria for award of the CMB.
2.  When the CMB was created there was never any intention to award it to all medical personnel who serve in a combat zone or imminent danger area.  The criteria, which qualify medical personnel for award of the CMB is to be assigned or attached to an infantry unit, engaged in active ground combat.  

3.  In the absence of evidence in his records that he was involved in combat operations, there is no basis for this Board to award the CMB.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___tsk___  ___sk ___  __jhk____  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999032933	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000725	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  107.01		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.