PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                19 May 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR1999015522

	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. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		Member	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		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 Bronze Star Medal and to show completion of the Noncommissioned Officer Candidate Course.

3.  The applicant states in a letter of explanation that the Bronze Star Medal was left off of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge).  He also states that he completed the Noncommissioned Officer Candidate Course which is not shown on his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 19 June 1968 and completed training as a light weapons infantryman.  He successfully completed the Noncommissioned Officer Candidate Course in February 1969 and was promoted to sergeant.  The applicant served in Vietnam from 19 May 1969 through 3 November 1969.  He was evacuated to the United States for wounds received in action and was honorably discharged on 11 March 1970.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Bronze Star Medal as an authorized award in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) and shows the entry “None” in item 25 (Education and Training Completed).

6.  The applicant provided a copy of Americal Division General Orders Number 12182, dated 23 November 1969, which awarded him the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service from August 1969 to October 1969.

7.  Orders in the applicant’s service personnel records show that he completed Noncommissioned Officer Candidate Course #19-69 on 19 February 1969 and was advanced to the rank of sergeant as a result.

8.  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.

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 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation for actions during the period 11 to 31 August 1969.

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 42, dated 1972.

11.  Army Regulation 635-5 establishes the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part it states that item 25 (military education) will list formal in service training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed.  This information is to assist the soldier after separation in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills are not listed.

12.  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.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award,

2.  The applicant successfully completed Noncommissioned Officer Candidate Course, which is a leadership school, and was immediately advanced to the rank of sergeant as a result.  Therefore, the Board has determined that this course should be listed in item 25 of the applicant’s DD Form 214 with the entry “NCOCC-15 WEEKS-FEB1969”.

3.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 19 June 1968 through 11 March 1970 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.

4.  The applicant was assigned to a unit at the time it was cited for award of the Valorous Unit Award 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:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:

a.  by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal;

b.  by showing he completed the Noncommissioned Officer Candidate Course by adding the entry “NCOCC-15 WEEKS-FEB1969” in item 25 of his DD Form 214;

c.  by awarding him the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 19 June 1968 through 11 March 1970 and correcting his records to show this award; and 

d.  by correcting his records to show award of the Valorous Unit Award and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

JNS____  RGH_____  RWA____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		John N. Slone_________
		CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999015522	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990519	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19700311	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON	IN MEDICAL HOLD NOT REENLISTING	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR HARRELL	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.