IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  14 August 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120010630 


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 reconsideration of his request to have the awards of the Ranger Tab and the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with M60 Machinegun bar added to his DD Form 214.

2.  The applicant states that he was assigned to 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, which is a Ranger Regiment and is why he was awarded the Ranger Tab.  He goes on to state that he was assigned to and fought with the Ranger unit for a year and he believes that he earned the Ranger Tab.  He goes on to state that he was a machine-gunner for the last 5 or 6 months he was in Vietnam and earned the machine-gun bar with his sweat. 

3.  The applicant provides a page (Record of Assignments) from his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record).

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20110010693 on 22 December 2011.

2.  The applicant was inducted into the Army in Little Rock, Arkansas on            12 September 1966 and was transferred to Fort Polk, Louisiana to undergo his one-station unit training as an infantryman.

3.  On 2 February 1967, Special Orders Number 031 published by Headquarters, Fort Polk awarded the applicant the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with machinegun bar for qualification with the M60 machinegun.   

4.  The applicant was transferred to Vietnam on 25 February 1967 and was initially assigned to Company A, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division for duties as an ammunition bearer and then as an automatic rifleman.  On 7 February 1968, he was assigned to Company E, 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment as a gunner.

5.  He departed Vietnam on 20 February 1968 and was transferred to Fort Hood, Texas where he remained until he was honorably released from active duty on 11 September 1968 due to the expiration of his term of service.  He had served  2 years of total active service.  He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with rifle bar and the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with pistol bar, the Good Conduct Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

6.  A review of his records failed to show any evidence of the applicant attending or completing Ranger training or being awarded a Ranger Tab.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Ranger Tab is awarded for successful completion of a Ranger Course conducted by the U.S. Army Infantry School or the Ranger Training Command.  It is also awarded to any person who was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge while serving in World War II as a member of a Ranger Battalion (1st to 6th inclusive) or in the 5307th Composite Unit (Merrill’s Marauders).

8.  During the Vietnam War, the first Ranger units were formed in December 1965 in the form of Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols (LRRP).  The first units were formed in the 101st Airborne Division, 1st Infantry Division, 173rd Airborne Brigade, and the 25th Infantry Division.  On 8 July 1966, they became provisional units and other divisions began standing up such units.  It was not until 1 February 1969 that the Department of the Army re-designated the Long Range Patrol (LRP) companies as lettered companies of the 75th Ranger Regiment under the Combined Arms Regimental System. 




DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s contention that his DD Form 214 should be corrected to reflect the award of the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with machinegun bar has been noted and found to have merit. 

2.  A copy of the orders showing his award of the Marksman Marksmanship Badge with machinegun bar have been obtained and that award should be added to his DD Form 214 at this time.

3.  While the sincerity of the applicant’s claim that he served with Rangers during the Vietnam War is not in the least in doubt, individuals must complete the prescribed training to be awarded the Ranger Tab and there is no evidence to show that he completed such training.  Unfortunately, since there are no orders awarding him the Ranger Tab or evidence to show he completed the required training course, there appears to be no basis to grant him the award of the Ranger Tab.

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 partial amendment of the ABCMR’s decision in Docket Number AR20110010693, dated 22 December 2011.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by:

* Deleting the entry “Marksman (Pistol)” from his DD Form 214
* Adding the entry “Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with pistol and machinegun bars” to his DD Form 214

2.  The Board further determined that the evidence presented is 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 adding the award of the Ranger Tab to his DD Form 214.
3.  The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to the United States during the Vietnam War.  The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.




      _______ _   __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)                                         AR20120010630





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120010630



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