PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:

	BOARD DATE:               9 June 1999              
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AR1999015202

	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. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		Member	
	Mr. James P. Steuve		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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states that his DD Form 214 does not reflect his Purple Heart.  He submits photocopies of his DD Form 214, an honorable discharge certificate from the U.S. Army Reserve and orders for award of the Air Medal (Eight Oak Leaf Cluster) with “V” Device in support of his application.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Army on 11 October 1966, completed training as an helicopter repairman and was assigned to Vietnam from 25 March 1967 to 24 March 1968.  He later served in Germany and was honorably discharged from active duty on 23 September 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.  The Board notes that the applicant is entitled to award of the Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and the Good Conduct Medal which are not shown on his discharge document.

6.  The applicant submitted 1st Aviation Brigade General Orders Number 3361, dated 30 May 1968, which awards him the Air Medal (Eighth Oak Leaf Cluster) with “V” Device for heroism on 23 February 1968 while engaged in aerial flight in connection with military operations against a hostile force.  The narrative reason in the orders state that the applicant’s “door gun was hit by an enemy round which ricocheted into his left arm.  Ignoring the intense pain of his wound, he continued to place suppressive fire on the enemy positions.”

7.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Air Medal with “V” Device as an authorized award.  However, 1st Aviation Brigade General Orders Number 3361 shows he was awarded the Air Medal (Eighth Oak Leaf Cluster) with “V” Device.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant was entitled to award of the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 8, dated 1974.

9.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he received credit for participation in the Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase II and the Tet Counteroffensive Campaigns in item 39 (Campaigns).  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Table B-1, shows he was also entitled to credit for participation in the Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase III (1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968) during his tour in Vietnam.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, 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 bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.

10.  The applicant’s records show that his conduct and efficiency were “excellent” throughout his service.  However, there is no evidence that he was awarded or disqualified from receiving the first award of the Good Conduct Medal.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was wounded on 23 February 1968 as a result of hostile action;  therefore he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show the Air Medal (Eighth Oak Leaf Cluster) with “V” Device.

3.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of records to show this award.

4.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant received credit for participation in three campaigns during his tour in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show three bronze service stars to be affixed to his Vietnam Service Medal.

5.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 11 October 1966 through 23 September 1969 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart, the Air Medal (Eighth Oak Leaf Cluster) with “V” Device, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 11 October 1966 through 23 September 1969.

BOARD VOTE:  

EB_____  RJW_____  JPS_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Elizabeth Buchanon____
		CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999015202	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990609	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.