BOARD DATE: 14 May 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140017022
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 that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show his awards of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) and Combat Medical Badge (CMB).
2. The applicant states that he served as a combat medic in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 and was awarded the BSM and CMB; however, they were not included on his DD Form 214.
3. The applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214 and orders awarding him the BSM and CMB.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant was inducted on 22 July 1969. He completed his training as a medical specialist and was transferred to Vietnam on 6 January 1970. The available records show he served with the 212th Combat Aviation Battalion.
2. He served in three campaigns and departed Vietnam on 24 February 1971. He was transferred to Fort Lewis, Washington where he was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) on 25 February 1971 as an overseas returnee. He had served 1 year, 7 months and 4 days of active service and his DD Form 214 issued at the time of his REFRAD shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), Army Commendation Medal, and his marksmanship badges.
3. Special Orders Number 307 issued by Headquarters, 212th Combat Aviation Battalion on 18 December 1970 awarded the applicant the CMB effective 24 November 1970.
4. The applicant was transferred to the United States Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training). He continued to serve and was transferred to the AUS Retired List in the rank of command sergeant major on 15 November 2007.
5. On 14 January 2015, the National Archives and Records Administration issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) adding the BSM to the applicants DD Form 214. Accordingly, that issue will not be further discussed in these proceedings.
6. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicants unit was awarded the
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation during the period the applicant served with the unit.
7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states a bronze service star, based on qualifying service for each campaign listed in appendix B, will be worn on the appropriate service medal including the Vietnam Service Medal.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant has provided orders awarding him the CMB and he is entitled to have that badge added to his DD Form 214.
2. The applicant served in three campaigns in Vietnam and is entitled to wear three bronze service stars on his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal and to have them added to his DD Form 214.
3. Additionally, the applicants unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation during the period he served with the unit. Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this unit award.
BOARD VOTE:
__X_____ ___X_____ __X___ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ 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 relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by:
* Deleting the Vietnam Service Medal from his DD Form 214
* Adding the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, CMB, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation to his DD Form 214
2. The Board wants the applicant and all others to know that the sacrifices he made in service to the United States are deeply appreciated. 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) AR20140017022
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140017022
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