PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:  20 June 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999034065

	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. Vic Whitney		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Van B. Cunningham		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ernest W. Lutz		Member	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		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 records be corrected to show that he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge (CMB), the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC), and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.  He also requests that he be issued a new DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or discharge). 

3.  The applicant states that orders or regulations authorize the requested awards.  Counsel recommends all possible consideration of the applicant’s request based on the evidence of record.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted and entered active duty on 19 March 1964.  He completed medical specialist and basic airborne training. He was assigned to Vietnam as a medical specialist in an infantry battalion and further attached to an infantry company from April 1966 to March 1967.  Effective 11 March 1967 he was separated from active duty and transferred to the USAR.  None of the requested awards are shown on his DD Form 214.

5.  The applicant’s available records contain a special order that awards the applicant and five other soldiers the “Medical Badge” effective 13 May 1966.  General Orders number 554 awards the applicant the Good Conduct Medal and General Orders number 467 that awarded him the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) for meritorious service.  The applicant had previously been awarded the ARCOM with “V” device.  Also in the available record is a commander’s certificate, which certifies that the applicant qualified as a sharpshooter with the rifle and as a marksman with the pistol.

6.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 provides the policy for unit awards.  It shows that the applicant’s unit was awarded the PUC for the period 2 to 20 June 1966 and 21 and 22 June 1966.  It was also awarded the MUC for the period 29 July 1965 through 1 October 1966.  Additionally the battalion 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.

7.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided the policy for award of the Combat Medical Badge (CMB).  It stated that the CMB is awarded to medical department personnel who are assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size which is engaged in active ground combat.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy.

8.  Army Regulation 635-5 provides the policy for preparation of separation documents including the DD Form 214 and the DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214).  It states that a new DD Form 214 will be issued when the corrections will not fit on a single DD Form 215, when two DD Forms 215 have already been issued, or when the character of service is to be changed.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s records clearly show that he has been awarded the Good Conduct Medal, two awards of the ARCOM, the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge with pistol bar and the Marksman Marksmanship Badge with rifle bar.

2.  Based on the available record it appears that the Medical Badge special order was issued in error and should have been issued to read Combat Medical Badge (CMB).

3.  While the applicant was assigned to specific units in Vietnam they were awarded two awards of the PUC, one award of the MUC, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation.  He is entitled to have his records corrected to add these awards.

4.  However, the applicant is not entitled to have a new DD Form 214 issued when a properly prepared DD Form 215 meets the regulatory requirement.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected for the individual concerned by showing that he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device and oak leaf cluster, the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge with pistol bar, the Marksman Marksmanship Badge with rifle bar, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation 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:  

__VC___  ___EL__  ___JA___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Van B. Cunningham____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999034065	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000615	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.