IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  19 May 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100024935 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge)) to show:

	a.  his correct address by showing his current address;

	b.  award of the Meritorious Unit Citation [sic: Commendation]; and

	c.  to remove "Unit Citation Badge."

2.  The applicant states that he did not receive a "Unit Citation Badge" as the
DD Form 215 reflects.  He contends that he served with Headquarters,
44th Medical Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) when it was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Presidential Unit Citation.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of the DD Form 215, issued on 12 July 2010.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 July 1954 and served through a series of reenlistments until his retirement for length of service on 30 June 1976.  He had attained the rank/grade of first sergeant (1SG)/E-8.  He completed a 21 years, 11 months, and 29 days of creditable active service.

2.  A review of the applicant's five DD Forms 214 show his awards as follows:

	a.  DD Form 214 for the period ending 14 August 1960:

* National Defense Service Medal
* Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
* Army Good Conduct Medal

	b.  DD Form 214 for the period ending 14 August 1966:

* National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
* Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
* Army Good Conduct Medal

	c.  DD Form 214 for the period ending 24 July 1972:

* Vietnam Service Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
* Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award)
* Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
* Bronze Star Medal

	d.  DD Form 214 for the period ending 28 April 1975:

* National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
* Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
* Bronze Star Medal
* Army Good Conduct Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters

	e.  DD Form 214 for the period 30 June 1976:

* National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
* Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award)
* Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
* 
Vietnam Service Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters
* Bronze Star Medal

3.  The applicant's DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 June 1976 shows his mailing address in Item 28 (Mailing Address after Separation) as 7xx Dale Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494.

4.  On 12 July 2010, a DD Form 215 was issued to correct the applicant's DD Form 214 effective 30 June 1976.  This DD Form 215 shows in:

	a.  Item 4 (Mailing Address): 7xx Dale Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494;

	b.  Item 5 (Original DD Form 214 is corrected as indicated below) corrects Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) to add:

* Meritorious Service Medal
* Presidential Unit Citation
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation

5.  A review of the applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in:

	a.  Item 31 (Foreign Service) that he served in the RVN from 15 October 1965 to 26 September 1966 and again from 8 October 1969 to 5 October 1970;	

	b.  Item 38 (Record of Assignments) that he served with Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 67th Medical Group from October 1969 to on or about 30 September 1970; and

	c.  Item 39 (Campaigns) that he participated in the following seven campaigns:

* Vietnam Defense Campaign (8 March - 24 December 1965)
* Vietnam Counteroffensive (25 December 1965 - 30 June 1966)
* Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II (1 July 1966 - 31 May 1967)
* Vietnam Summer - Fall 1969 (9 June - 31 October 1969)
* Vietnam Winter - Spring 1970 (1 November 1969 - 30 April 1970)
* 
Sanctuary Counteroffensive (1 May - 30 June 1970)
* Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII (1 July 1970 - 30 June 1971)

6.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in the Republic of Vietnam.  This publication shows that HHD, 67th Medical Group, during the time of the applicant's assignment, was cited in Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 48, dated in 1971 for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states that:

	a.  the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 through 27 July 1954, and 1 January 1961 through 14 August 1974.  This regulation also provides that the second and subsequent awards of the National Defense Service Medal are denoted by a bronze service star affixed to the National Defense Service Medal;

	b.  states that a bronze service star will be awarded for wear on the Vietnam Service Medal for participation in each campaign.  A silver service star denotes participation in five campaigns; and

	c.  states the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation was awarded by the Vietnamese government for valorous combat achievement.  It was awarded in four degrees, including with Palm to denote a unit which was cited before the Armed Forces.

8.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) provides detailed instructions for completing separation documents, including the DD Form 214 and DD Form 215.

	a.  This regulation provides that all decorations, service medals, campaign credits, and badges awarded or authorized, as recorded in the Soldier's official records are to be entered in Item 26 of the DD Form 214.  This is to cover all periods of service.  

	b.  Items numbered 1 through 4 on the DD Form 215 contain information as shown on the DD Form 214 that is to be corrected.  Item 5 provides for identifying the date of the DD Form 214 to be corrected and the specific correction(s) that have been made.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends that his DD Form 215 should be corrected to show his correct address; add award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation; and delete the "Unit Citation Badge." 

2.  The DD Form 215, dated 12 July 2010, was prepared showing the applicant's mailing address after separation as was recorded on the original DD Form 214.  This was correct.  The applicant's desire to have the DD Form 215 show his current address is understandable, but would be improper.  Accordingly, this portion of his request should be denied.

3.  The applicant's contention that he was never awarded a "Unit Citation Badge" is correct.  The entry on the DD Form 215, which adds the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, incorrectly included the word "Badge" in the award title.  This should be corrected.

4.  The applicant’s unit was cited in general orders for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation.  Therefore, his records should be corrected to show this unit award.

5.  Records show that the applicant participated in seven campaign periods during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.  Therefore, he is eligible for award of a silver service star and two bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal.

6.  Records show that the applicant served during two qualifying periods of service for award of the National Defense Service Medal.  Therefore, his
DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this award with a bronze service star.

7.  The applicant's DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 June 1976 should be corrected to properly show all of his awards.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

____X___  ___X____  ____X___  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by:

	a.  deleting from item 26 of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 June 1976 all awards, including those added by the DD Form 215, dated 12 July 2010; and

	b.  adding to item 26 of his DD Form 214 the:

* Bronze Star Medal
* Meritorious Service Medal
* Army Commendation Medal (3rd Award)
* Presidential Unit Citation
* Meritorious Unit Commendation
* Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award)
* Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
* National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
* Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star and 2 bronze service stars
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation

2.  The Board further determined that the evidence presented was insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief.  As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to showing his current address on the subject DD Form 215.



      ____________X____________
                 CHAIRPERSON
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100024935



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100024935



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