PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           17 December 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002074667

	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	
	Ms. Nancy L. Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Mr. William D. Powers		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 the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) be added to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the BSM while in the field in Vietnam.  He provides no supporting evidence.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 11 June 1968.  He completed basic training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11C (Infantry Indirect Fire Crewman).  He completed basic airborne training.

5.  The applicant arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to Company E, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade on 26 June 1969.  He departed Vietnam on 16 June 1970 after receiving participation credit for three campaigns.

6.  Filed in the applicant's Official Military Personnel File was a citation for the BSM for meritorious service for the period June 1969 to June 1970.  The general orders awarding him the BSM are not available.

7.  The applicant was released from active duty on 10 June 1971.  His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Parachutist Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 1960, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides for the award of the BSM to any person who distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy.  

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides for the wear of one bronze service star on the appropriate service medal for each credited campaign.

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3, Unit Citation and Campaign  Participation Credit Register, shows that the 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 5 May 1965 - 26 September 1970 on Department of the Army General Orders 51, dated 1971, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation for the period 15 April 1969 - 16 March 1971 on Department of the Army General Orders 5, dated 1973.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Although the general orders awarding the applicant the BSM are not available, a citation for the BSM was filed in his Official Military Personnel File.  The Board accepts that citation as sufficient evidence to show he was awarded the BSM.  His DD Form 214 should be amended to add the BSM.

2.  The evidence of record shows the applicant is authorized to wear three bronze service stars on the Vietnam Service Medal.  His DD Form 214 should be amended to reflect this.

3.  The applicant was assigned to a unit during a period of time that unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation.  These unit awards should be added to his DD Form 214.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

That the applicant's DD Form 214 be amended to add the Bronze Star Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation and to show he is authorized to wear three bronze service stars with the Vietnam Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__LLS__  __BJE___  __WDP__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___Luther L. Santiful__
		    CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002074667	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	2002/12/17	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.04	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.