PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            5 June 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003083783

	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. Jessie B. Strickland		Analyst	

The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas B. Redfern		Member	
	Ms. Karen A. Heinz		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 report of separation (DD Form 214) be corrected to reflect his awards of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), ARCOM 1st Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC), and the Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL). 

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded two awards of the ARCOM and the GCMDL; however they are not reflected on his DD Form 214.  In support of his application he submits copies of his orders awarding him two awards of the ARCOM. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted in Cleveland, Ohio, on 24 January 1968.  He successfully completed his training and was transferred to Vietnam on 8 December 1968.  He was assigned to the 4th Administration Company for duty as a clerk-typist.

5.  He departed Vietnam and was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington, where he was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) on 4 December 1969, as an overseas returnee.  He had served 1 year, 10 months and 11 days of total active service and his DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.  His records show that he had excellent conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his service and contain no derogatory information that would disqualify him for award of the GCMDL.

6.  On 23 October 2001, the National Personnel Records Center issued an authorization to issue the applicant the GCMDL.  However, there is no evidence in the available records to show that his DD Form 214 was ever corrected to reflect that award.

7.  Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register-Vietnam Era) was published to assist commanders and personnel officers in determining or establishing the eligibility of individual members for campaign participation credit, assault landing credit, and unit citation badges awarded during the Vietnam Conflict.  Table 1 (Army Units in Numerical Order) of the pamphlet indicates that the applicant’s unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation (RVNGC w/Palm) and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal – First Class Unit Citation (RVNCAHM-FC) during the period he was assigned to the unit.  Additionally, the applicant’s unit participated in four campaigns during the period of his assignment.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 serves as the authority for awards and decorations.  It provides, in pertinent part, that a bronze service star for wear on the VSM is awarded for each campaign in which an individual participates. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant has provided sufficient evidence to show that he was awarded the ARCOM, the ARCOM 1OLC and the GCMDL.  Accordingly, it would be in the interest of justice to correct his records to reflect those awards.

2.  Additionally, the Board finds that he is entitled to be awarded the RVNGC w/Palm Unit Citation, the RVNCAHM-FC Unit Citation and four bronze service stars for wear on his already awarded VSM at this time.

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 that the individual concerned was awarded the ARCOM, ARCOM 1OLC and the GCMDL and that he be awarded the RVNGC w/Palm Unit Citation, the RVNCAHM-FC Unit Citation and four bronze service stars for wear on his already awarded VSM.

BOARD VOTE:  

___tbr___  ___kh___  ___ao___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Arthur A. Omartian___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003083783	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	2003/06/05	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  189	110.0000/CORR 214	
2.  66	107.0020/ARCOM	
3.  102	107.0056/GCMDL	
4.  134	107.0094/RVNGC	
5.  135	107.0095/RVNCAHM	
6.