PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           11 March 2003                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002079911

	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. Samuel A. Crumpler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ted S. Kanamine		Member	
	Ms. Shirley Powell 		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 Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal after he was relieved from active duty.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214; a letter, dated 17 May 2002, from the National Personnel Records Center; and a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 15 May 2002. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was ordered to active duty on 
6 October 1969.  He served as a rotary wing aviator in Vietnam from 31 July 1971 through 8 March 1972 and was released from active duty on 12 March 1972.

5.  The applicant's DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Bronze Star Medal as an authorized award.  

6.  1st Aviation Brigade General Orders Number 1031, dated 28 March 1972, show the applicant received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during the period 7 August 1971 to 28 March 1972.

7.  The applicant's DD Form 214 shows one award of the Air Medal.  However, his service personnel records contain 1st Aviation Brigade General Orders Number 977, dated 28 March 1972, which show he was awarded the second through ninth award of the Air Medal during the period 24 August 1971 through 18 February 1972.  

8.  United States Army Aviation Center and Fort Rucker Special Orders Number 243, dated 15 September 1970, show the applicant received the Army Aviator Badge.  This badge is not shown on his DD Form 214.

9.  The applicant's DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  His records show that he served in Vietnam from 31 July 1971 through 8 March 1972 and participated in three campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam.

10.  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 8, dated 1974.  This award is not shown on his DD Form 214.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that Arabic numerals are now used instead of oak leaf clusters for the second and succeeding awards of the Air Medal.  The numeral 2 denotes the second award of the Air Medal.
12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, 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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record supports the applicant's contention that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal after he was relieved from active duty.

2.  The applicant was released from active duty on 12 March 1972 and he received the Bronze Star Medal on 28 March 1972.  Therefore, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant's DD Form 214 to show award of the Bronze Star Medal.  

3.  The applicant's DD Form 214 shows one award of the Air Medal.  However, evidence of record shows the applicant received nine awards of the Air Medal.  Therefore, the applicant's DD Form 214 should be corrected to show award of the Air Medal with Numeral "9."

4.  The applicant received the Army Aviator Badge on 15 September 1970.  Therefore, the applicant's DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this badge.

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

6.  The applicant's unit received 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 DD Form 214 to show this unit citation. 

7.  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 Bronze Star Medal, 
the Air Medal with Numeral "9", the Army Aviator Badge, the Vietnam Service 

Medal with three bronze service stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

SAC___  TSK_____  SP______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Samuel A. Crumpler_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002079911	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20030311	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0014	
2.	107.0000	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.