PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                22 July 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR1999015430

	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. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas N. Kuhn		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		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, the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The applicant states that his records were complete at the time of his separation.  In support of his application, he provides orders for the Purple Heart.  He contends that he saw orders for his award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and that his award of the Bronze Star Medal was listed in the Army Times.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 25 September 1967 and completed training as an infantryman in military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B.  He served in Vietnam from June 1968 to February 1969.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 24 September 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart or the Bronze Star Medal as authorized awards.

6.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows that from 16 June 1968 to 1 November 1968 he served as a rifleman in MOS 11B in Company B, 3d Battalion 1st Infantry, which was a subordinate unit of the Americal Division. 

7.  The applicant’s records contain a copy of 312th Evacuation Hospital General Orders Number 9, dated 20 January 1969, which award him the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 19 January 1969.

8.  There are no orders for award of the Bronze Star Medal in the applicant’s service personnel records.  There is no indication in his records that he was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

9.  There is no indication in the applicant’s personnel records that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence the applicant was disqualified by his unit commander for award of the Good Conduct Medal.  Records show the applicant’s conduct and efficiency was rated as “excellent” throughout his service and there is no indication of indiscipline in his records.

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 2, 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 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. 

13.  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.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  The applicant possessed an infantry MOS and served in an infantry position in combat in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge .

3.  There is no evidence of record which shows that the applicant was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal; therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

4.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 25 September 1967 through 24 September 1969 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

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

6.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  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 Combat Infantryman Badge, the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 25 September 1967 through 24 September 1969 and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF____  TNK_____  RJW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Calvin M. Fowler______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999015430	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990722	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19690924YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200. . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON	ETS	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR SCHNEIDER	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.