PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           15 June 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999033755

	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		Director	
	Mr. David H. Keller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Orville W. Troesch Jr.  		Chairperson	
	Ms. Kathleen A. Newman 		Member	
	Ms. Margaret V. Thompson 		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 his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period 22 May 1970 to 21 May 1973 be corrected to show that he served 1 year in Vietnam.

3.  The applicant states that he served in Vietnam from 8 December 1970 to an unspecified date in December 1971, presumably 7 December 1971, which gives him 1 full year of Vietnam service.  He adds that his DD Form 214 incorrectly lists his Vietnam service as being from 8 December 1970 to 29 November 1971.  In support of his request, he submits a copy of his award certificate, citation, and orders announcing award of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), and showing the period for the award as 8 December 1970 to 7 December 1971.

4.  Counsel offers no evidence or argument beyond that submitted by the applicant.

5.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 22 May 1970 and, after training, was assigned to Vietnam.

6.  There are no travel vouchers in the applicant’s records to confirm his travel dates to and from Vietnam.  However, his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) reflects his Vietnam service as occurring from 8 December 1970 to 29 November 1971.  The record of assignments portion of his DA Form 20 shows that he departed Vietnam en route to the United States on 29 November 1971.  The applicant authenticated his DA Form 20 as correct on 13 January 1972.

7.  The applicant was released from active duty on 21 May 1973 at Fort Hood, Texas.  His DD Form 214, which he authenticated as correct with his signature, shows he served 11 months and 22 days in Vietnam.  His awards and decorations are shown as the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and the Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle).

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 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 service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 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 service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant served in Vietnam from 
8 December 1970 to 29 November 1971, a total of 11 months and 22 days.

2.  The period of 8 December 1970 to 7 December 1970 shown on the applicant’s award documents was entered based on his DEROS, or date eligible to return from overseas, a projected date used for accounting purposes only.  It does not prove that he actually departed Vietnam on his DEROS.

3.  The applicant served in two campaigns during his service in Vietnam and is entitled to one bronze service star with his Vietnam Service Medal.

4.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding to the individual concerned one Bronze Service Star with his Vietnam Service Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__owt___  __kan___  __mvt___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Orville W. Troesch Jr. 
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	1999033755	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000615	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PARTIAL	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.00	
2.	107.00	
3.	110.00	
4.		
5.		
6.