PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  5 June 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2002079643

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Ms. Karen A. Heinz		Member	
	Mr. Thomas B. Redfern		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 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show that he was awarded two awards of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) correctly known as the ARCOM (1st oak leaf cluster).

3.  The applicant states that his two ARCOMs were issued on and after his separation and his DD Form 214 does not show these awards.  In support of his application, he submits copies of his:  DD Form 214; two award certificates; one citation; and a copy of General Orders Number 6551.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 25 July 1968, as a radio operator.  He served in Vietnam from 11 July 1969 to 6 July 1970 and was honorably discharged on 10 July 1970.

5.  His DD Form 214 does not show any awards of the ARCOM as authorized awards.

6.  The applicant provided a copy of an award citation and certificate, which shows that he was awarded the ARCOM for exceptionally meritorious achievement in support of military operations against communist aggression in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 1 January to 30 April 1970.  General Orders Number 6551, dated 24 June 1970, published by Headquarters, Americal Division validated this award. 

7.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, dated 6 July 1970, which shows that he was awarded the second award of the ARCOM for  meritorious service in the Republic of Vietnam from July 1969 to July 1970.  This award certificate appears to be authentic as validated by the Commanding General's signature. 

8.  The bronze oak leaf cluster is awarded to denote the second and succeeding awards of certain decorations, among which is the Army Commendation Medal.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record confirms that the applicant was awarded the first award of the ARCOM for exceptional meritorious achievement during the period 1 January to 30 April 1970.  

2.  There are no orders available to the Board which authorized award of the second award of the ARCOM to the applicant.  However, the applicant has provided an award citation as evidence that he was awarded the second award of the ARCOM for meritorious service in the Republic of Vietnam from July 1969 to July 1970.  Upon review, the Board has determined that this evidence is sufficient as a basis for a second award of the ARCOM.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show two awards of the ARCOM correctly known as the ARCOM (1st oak leaf cluster).

3.  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 in item 24 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (1st oak leaf cluster).

BOARD VOTE:  

__ao____  __kh____  __tr____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Arthur A. Omartian__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002079643	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20030605	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19700710	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR  635-200	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	66	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.