PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                 24 June 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:         AR1999015420

	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	
	Mr. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. Gary C. Miller		Member	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		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 records to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device.

3.  The applicant states that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show that he received the Combat Infantryman Badge.  He states that he served in an infantry unit in Vietnam from January 1967 to June 1967.  He states that he also should have a Bronze Star with “V” Device on his DD Form 214.  In support of his application, he submitted a copy of orders for the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on 12 October 1965, completed airborne training, and was awarded the military occupational specialty (MOS) of light weapons infantry (11B) based upon completion of Advanced Individual Training.  He served in Vietnam from 4 February 1967 to 22 June 1967 and again from 7 July 1968 to 23 June 1969.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 5 December 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device as authorized awards.

6.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows that he was assigned to Company A, 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry in Vietnam as a “rifleman” in MOS 11B1P from 6 February 1967 to 22 June 1967.  Evidence of records shows that he was wounded on 22 June 1967 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for heroism in action on that same day.

7.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device by 173d Airborne Brigade General Orders Number 1147, dated 3 August 1967.

8.  Review of the applicant’s records also show that he participated in a combat parachute assault on 22 February 1967 in Vietnam and was authorized a bronze service star to be worn on his Parachutist Badge based on 173d Airborne Brigade General Orders Number 444, 12 March 1967.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam.  This document shows the unit, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 5 May 1965 to 4 May 1967.

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Order Number 51, dated 1971.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS.  They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  The Awards Branch of the Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, sets forth requirements for award of the basic Parachutist Badge.  Paragraph 8-10g states that a bronze service star is authorized to be worn on the Parachutist Badge to denote a soldier’s participation in a combat parachute jump and that orders are required to confirm award of these badges. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant served as a rifleman in an infantry company in combat in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his records to show this badge.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for heroism in action against an armed enemy on 22 June 1967; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

3.  The applicant was authorized by orders to wear a bronze service star on his Parachutist Badge to denote a combat parachute jump; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Parachutist Badge with bronze service star affixed.

4.  The applicant was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

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: 

a.  by awarding the individual concerned the Combat Infantryman Badge and correcting his records to show this badge; and 

b.  by showing he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, the Parachutist Badge with bronze service star, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  GCM____  CLG____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999015420	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990624	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19691205	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON	ETS	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR HARRELL	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.