| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Robert J. McGowan | Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr. | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Eric N. Andersen | Member | |
| Mr. Thomas E. O'Shaughnessy | Member |
2. The applicant requests that his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected by showing that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), and the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).
3. The applicant states, in effect, that he earned these awards and was a member of a unit that earned the PUC.
4. The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army for 4 years on 4 March 1966, and training with the Army Security Agency (ASA). Upon completion of all required military training, he was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 05G, Communications Security Analyst.
5. The applicant served in the Republic of Vietnam from 31 March 1967 to 1 April 1968. He was initially assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 313th Radio Research Battalion from 31 March to 13 August 1967. He was then reassigned to the 374th Radio Research Company from 14 August 1967 to 1 April 1968.
6. Following his tour of duty in Vietnam, the applicant was transferred to Germany where he served with the 507th ASA Group and USASA Company. He was promoted to specialist five/E-5 on 29 November 1968 and appointed as a temporary specialist six/E-6 on 28 May 1969. In preparation for his temporary appointment to E-6, a DA Form 3354-R (Personnel Data Sheet) was completed showing that the applicant's only personal decoration was the Good Conduct Medal.
7. The applicant served in Germany until he received an early release from his service commitment in order to attend college. He was transferred to the United States and separated at Fort Dix, New Jersey on 14 January 1970. His DD Form 214 shows that he received the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge (M-14 Rifle).
8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) sets forth Department of the Army criteria, policy and instructions concerning individual military awards, the Good Conduct Medal, service medals and service ribbons, combat and special skill badges and tabs, unit decorations, and trophies and similar devices awarded in recognition of accomplishments.
9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Presidential Unit Citation (known as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966) is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action. A unit must display such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) indicates that Detachment 1, 374th Radio Research Company was cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation for the period 29 October to 30 November 1967.
11. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer personnel who have an infantry MOS. They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size. The Awards Branch of the Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the CIB was awarded only to enlisted soldiers who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.
12. 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 Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 1 January 1967 to 28 July 1969 by Department of the Army General Order Number 3, dated 1970.
13. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), 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. During the period that the applicant served in Vietnam, he participated in 3 campaigns.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant enlisted for training and assignment with the ASA. His MOS was 05G, Communications Security Specialist; he never held an infantry MOS or served in an infantry unit and is not entitled to award of the CIB.
2. Award of a personal decoration such as the ARCOM requires formal recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders. There are no orders in the applicant's file awarding him the ARCOM and he has provided no proof that he was ever awarded a personal decoration.
3. The applicant is not entitled to the Presidential Unit Citation. He was a member of the 374th Radio Research Company, not Detachment 1, 374th Radio Research Company. Only Detachment 1 was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
4. The applicant is entitled to award of the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation because he was a member of the 374th Radio Research Company during the period for which the unit was recognized.
5. Based on the period of his service in Vietnam, the applicant is entitled to wear three Bronze Service Stars on his Vietnam Service Medal.
6. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected, but only as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by issuing a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) to the individual concerned showing that he was awarded the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and three Bronze Service Stars on his Vietnam Service Medal.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
__RVO__ __ENA___ _TEO___ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
_Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr._____________
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2001058224 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20010927 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT PLUS |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | DASA |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0020 |
| 2. | 107.0031 |
| 3. | 107.0094 |
| 4. | 107.0111 |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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