PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           25 July 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999034486

	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
Mr. David H. Keller		Director
Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Ted S. Kanamine		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Member	
	Mr. John H. Kern		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 military records be corrected to show award of the Bronze Star Medal and all other awards to which he may be entitled.

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal on 1 December 1969 for meritorious achievement from April 1968 to April1969 in Vietnam.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 7 November 1967 and was trained as an infantryman.  On 22 April 1968, he was assigned to Vietnam as a rifleman and later, an infantry team leader, with the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry.

5.  On 20 January 1969, orders were published by the 1st Infantry Division awarding the applicant the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in Vietnam on 14 September 1968.

6.  On 13 March 1969, orders were published by the 1st Infantry Division awarding the applicant the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight for the period 1 July 1968 to 2 September 1968.

7.  The applicant was separated on 6 November 1969 at Fort Carson, Colorado, with an honorable characterization of service.  His DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows his awards and decorations as National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.

8.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) also shows the applicant qualified as sharpshooter with the M-16 Rifle and the M-60 Machine Gun.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  Recommendations must be made within 2 years of the event or period of service and the award must be made within 3 years.

10.  Army Pamphlet 672-3 lists the time periods for which various units were awarded unit citations, such as the Presidential Unit Citation and Meritorious Unit Citation.  During the period of his assignment in Vietnam, the applicant’s unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal in addition to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm already shown on the applicant’s DD Form 214.
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms that the applicant was awarded the Air Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device.

2.  There is no evidence to show that the applicant was recommended for, or ever awarded, the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The applicant is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal based on his assignment with the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, in Vietnam.

4.  The applicant is also entitled to the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle and Machine Gun component bars.

5.  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 adding the following awards to the DD Form 214 of the individual concerned:  the Air Medal, the “V” device with his Army Commendation Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, and the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle and Machine Gun Bars.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__tsk___  __sk_____  __jhk___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Ted S. Kanamine__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999034486	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000725	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PARTIAL	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.	110.00	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.