PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           19 June 2003                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002082221

	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. G. E. Vandenberg		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Ms. Lana E. McGlynn		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 his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show award of the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and all others.

3.  The applicant states that the award regulations as amended after his discharge authorized award of several medals to which are not reflected on his current DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he entered active duty on 8 September 1964.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training with award of the military occupational specialty (MOS) 62E (Construction Machine Operator). 

5.  The applicant was assigned to Company C, 809th Engineer Battalion while stationed in Thailand, for the period 4 February 1965 through 1 March 1966.

6.  The applicant attained the rank of staff sergeant (temporary) (E-6) and was honorable released from active duty on 7 March 1968 by reason of expiration of term of service.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Expert Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, paragraph 9-19, provides for award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  The Government of Vietnam awarded this medal to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included assignment in Vietnam for 6 months or more and contributed direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces.  Individuals outside Vietnam who had qualified for award of the Vietnam Service Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or individual who were evacuated prior to completing six months of service due wounds resulting from hostile action are entitled to award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, paragraph 2-13 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).  This medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included attachment to or assignment for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.  One bronze service star is worn to denote each campaign period served. 

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 paragraph 6-7 authorizes a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each designated campaign listed in Appendix B of the regulation.  The applicant served during the Vietnam Advisory Campaign, commencing 15 March 1962 and ending on 7 March 1965; Vietnam Defense Campaign, ending 24 December 1965; Vietnam Counteroffensive, ending 30 June 1966; ending on 7 March 1965; the Vietnam Defense Campaign, ending 24 December 1965; and the Vietnam Counteroffensive, ending 30 June 1966.

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

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board finds that the applicant’s service in Thailand was in direct support of operations in Vietnam; therefore he is entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

2.  Therefore, the Board concludes that it would be in the interest of justice to correct the applicant’s records to reflect his authorized awards as the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Expert Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, correcting the applicant’s records as recommended below will correct an error.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned is authorized and awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Expert Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.
 
BOARD VOTE:  

_JNS____  __LEM__  __WDP__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_        John N. Slone__________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR200208221	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20030619	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	VSM, RVNCM, RVNGC	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.