PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           19 April 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999033062

	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.  

	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James P. Huber		Chairperson	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Van B. Cunningham		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 that he be awarded the Combat Medical Badge and the Air Medal and that he be provided any evidence to show he was attached to Company C, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne for the period September 1969 through September 1970.

3.  The applicant states that he found out that most of the men who served in Company C were awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Air Medal so, since he was a combat medic in the same unit and participated in the same operations, he should have been awarded the Combat Medical Badge and the Air Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 26 August 1968.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 91B (Medical Specialist).  He completed basic airborne training and was awarded special qualification identifier P, parachute qualified.

5.  The applicant arrived in Vietnam on 13 September 1969 and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade as a 91B20, medical aidman.  There is no evidence of record to show he was attached to Company C of this unit.  He departed Vietnam on 11 September 1970.  General Orders 2564, Headquarters, 173d Airborne Brigade dated 22 September 1970 award the applicant the Air Medal.  

6.  On 20 July 1971, the applicant was released from active duty, early separation to attend school.  He had completed 2 years, 10 months and 21 days of creditable active service and had 3 days of lost time.  His conduct and efficiency were rated as “excellent” for his entire period of service.

7.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations.  It stated that the Combat Medical Badge could be awarded to Medical Department personnel assigned or attached to infantry units of brigade or smaller size who satisfactorily perform medical duties while the unit is engaged in actual ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire.  The award was established to recognize medical aidmen who shared the same hazards and hardships of ground combat on a daily basis with the infantry soldier.  It also stated that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service completed on or after 27 August 1940 and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year.  At the time, a soldier’s conduct and efficiency ratings must have been rated as “excellent” for the entire period of qualifying service.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that the 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for the period 5 May 1965 through 26 September 1970 and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class for the period 15 April 1969 through         16 March 1971.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence of record to show that the applicant was attached to Company C, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry 173d Airborne Brigade.  However, he was awarded the Air Medal.  The Board also concludes that he met the eligibility criteria for award of the Combat Medical Badge.

2.  The Board concludes that the applicant also met the eligibility criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.  Despite having 3 days of lost time, his conduct and efficiency had been rated as “excellent” throughout his term of service.

3.  The Board notes that the applicant’s unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class during a period of time he was assigned to the unit.

4.  In view of the foregoing, it would be in the interest of justice to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 26 August 1968 through 20 July 1971 and the Combat Medical Badge.

2.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be amended to add the Air Medal, the Combat Medical Badge, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class and that he be issued these medals.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__jph___  __eja___  __vbc___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			James P. Huber
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999033062	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000419	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0113	
2.	110.04	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.