PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           30 April 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2001065704

	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		Director	
	Mr. Lee Cates		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Hubert O. Fry, Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Thomas E. O'Shaugnessy, Jr.		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 records be corrected to show entitlement to award of the Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL) and the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal.

3.  The applicant provides a letter of support from his commander at the time that indicates he should have been awarded the requested medals.

4.  The applicant’s available military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 10 December 1965 and trained as an Infantry Indirect Fire Crewman.

5.  During the period 15 September 1966 through 12 July 1967, he served with   A Troop, 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry in Vietnam.

6.  On 5 August 1968, he was retired based on a physical disability.  His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) indicates he had 2 years, 7 months and 26 days of creditable service.  He was entitled to award of the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge. 

7.  On 13 July 2001, in response to his petition, the Total Army Personnel Command authorized the award of the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the GCMDL 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 GCMDL, disqualification must be justified.  

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 Vietnam Civil Actions Medal First Class Unit Citation for the period 1 October 1966 to 31 October 1969 by Department of the Army General Order Number 53, dated 1970.

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 also shows the unit, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 1 October 1966 to 28 July 1969 by Department of the Army General Order Number 3, dated 1970.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows the applicant is entitled to the GCMDL, first award, for the period 10 December 1965 to 5 August 1968.  He is also entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, for the period    1 October 1966 to 22 July 1967; and, the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal First Class Unit Citation, for the period 1 October 1966 to 22 July 1967, both as described in Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3.

2.  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 is entitled to award of the GCMDL, first award for the period 10 December 1965 to 5 August 1968; the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, for the period 1 October 1966 to 22 July 1967; and, the Vietnam Civil Actions Medal First Class Unit Citation, for the period 1 October 1966 to 22 July 1967.

BOARD VOTE:  

__teo___  __hof___  _aao____   GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________ DENY APPLICATION

			Arthur A. Omartian 
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001065704	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020430	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.