APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his records be corrected to reflect that he was awarded the Cambodian Campaign Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) and the Expert Rifle Badge.

APPLICANT STATES:  That he lost all of his awards in the flood of 1993 which included certificates and letters of appreciation from President Richard Nixon and various other individuals.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army for 3 years on 19 February 1969 and after spending 1 year in Vietnam was honorably discharged on 3 January 1972.

His DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge, shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Combat Medical Badge.  (A review of his records by the US Army Reserve Personnel Center determined that he was also authorized the Valorous Unit Emblem, the Expert Badge with hand grenade bar and the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle and automatic rifle bars.)

There are no documents in his military personnel file to show that he was awarded the BSM or an Expert Badge with rifle bar.  Neither are there any copies of commendations or letters or certificates of appreciation.

Army Regulation 600-22-8, Military Awards, provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.

The awards regulation does not list a Cambodian Campaign Service Medal as an authorized award.

The same regulation, provides, in pertinent part, that marksmanship badges are awarded to indicate the degree in which an individual has qualified in prescribed weapons firing courses or events.  The badges listed from the highest to lowest degree of marksmanship are the Expert Badge, the Sharpshooter Badge and the Marksman Badge.  Only the highest degree of marksmanship is listed on an individual's separation document.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The Army awards regulation does not authorize an award entitled the Cambodian Campaign Service Medal.

2.  The applicant’s records do not show that he was recommended for or awarded the BSM.  Likewise, there are no copies of commendations or letters or certificates of appreciation naming him as the recipient.

3.  There is no evidence in the available records to show that he qualified as an expert with the rifle and was awarded an Expert Badge with rifle bar.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there appears to be no basis for granting the applicant’s request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT          

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




						Karl F. Schneider
						Acting Director