PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           10 October 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002074725

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		Member	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		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 DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge with his unit, as a unit (Company B, 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade), in December 1967 or January 1968.  He contends that they trained as a battalion unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and then they went to Vietnam on 2 October 1967 as a new unit.    

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 27 June 1966 for a period of 3 years.  He served as a light weapons infantryman in Vietnam from 
22 October 1967 through 30 January 1969 and was honorably released from active duty on 2 February 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.

6.  The applicant’s service personnel records contain 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) Special Orders Number 355, dated 21 December 1967, which show he received the first award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

7.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  His records show that he participated in five campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam.

8.  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 1 August 1968 to 30 April 1971 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 16, dated 1972.  This award is not shown on his discharge document.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 51, dated 1971.  This award is not shown on his discharge document.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service 

stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.  This regulation also provides, in pertinent part, that a silver service star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, states that effective 1 March 1961 the Meritorious Unit Commendation was authorized for units and/or detachments of the Armed Forces of the United States for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services for at least six continuous months in support of military operations.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant received the first award of the Combat Infantryman Badge on 21 December 1967.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this badge.

2.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in five campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam which are not correctly shown by award of one silver service star for wear on his Vietnam Service Medal. Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, the applicant is entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star and correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.   

3.  The applicant’s unit was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation and award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation while he was assigned to it.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his military records to show these unit awards. 

4.  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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Combat Infantryman 
Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star, the Meritorious 

Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

RJW____  RWA____  JTM____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Raymond J. Wagner____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002074725	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20021010	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	 	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0111	
2.	107.0000	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.