RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 17 July 2007 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20070002080 I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. Ms. Catherine C. Mitrano Director Mr. Michael L. Engle Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Mr. Jonh N. Slone Chairperson Mr. David K. Haasenritter Member Ms. LaVerne M. Douglas Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of his military records to show award of the Overseas Service Ribbon. 2. The applicant states that he served overseas in Alaska from July 1952 to December 1953 and believes that he is entitled to award of the Overseas Service Ribbon. 3. The applicant provides a Drivers Certificate of Achievement and a Letter of Recommendation. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant is requesting correction of an alleged error or injustice which occurred on 9 January 1954, the date of his discharge. The application submitted in this case is dated 30 January 2007. 2. Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse failure to file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines that it would be in the interest of justice to do so. In this case, the ABCMR will conduct a review of the merits of the case to determine if it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. 3. On 31 January 1951, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. He completed his initial training as a Track Vehicle Mechanic. 4. The Certificate of Achievement provided by the applicant shows that he performed duty as a light truck driver from 1 February to 31 July 1953, with the 93rd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, at Ladd Air Force Base, Alaska. 5. The Letter of Recommendation, from the Commander, Battery A, 93rd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, dated 15 December 1953, as provided by the applicant, states that he had been assigned to this unit as a motor pool sergeant for 34 months. 6. On 9 January 1954, the applicant was honorably discharged from active duty. He attained the rank of sergeant and had completed 2 years, 11 months and 9 days of creditable active duty. 7. Item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s DD Form 214, lists his awards as the National Defense Service Medal. 8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) shows that the Overseas Service Ribbon was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981.  The regulation states, in pertinent part, that effective 1 August 1981, all members of the Active Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve in an active Reserve status are eligible for the award for successful completion of overseas tours.  The award may be awarded retroactively to those personnel who were credited with a normal overseas tour completion before 1 August 1981 provided they had an Active Army status on or after 1 August 1981 and the overseas service is not recognized with another United States service medal.  DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence clearly shows that the applicant served in Alaska during the period from 1952 to 1953. However, there is no evidence to show that he served on active duty on or after 1 August 1981. Therefore, he is not eligible for award of the Overseas Service Ribbon. 2. In view of the above, the applicant’s request should not be granted. 3. Records show the applicant should have discovered the alleged error or injustice now under consideration on 9 January 1954; therefore, the time for the applicant to file a request for correction of any error or injustice expired on 8 January 1957. The applicant did not file within the 3-year statute of limitations and has not provided a compelling explanation or evidence to show that it would be in the interest of justice to excuse failure to timely file in this case. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING __LMD__ ___DKH _ __JNS __ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined that the evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. 2. As a result, the Board further determined that there is no evidence provided which shows that it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file this application within the 3-year statute of limitations prescribed by law. Therefore, there is insufficient basis to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing or for correction of the records of the individual concerned. ______John N. Slone______ CHAIRPERSON INDEX CASE ID AR20070002080 SUFFIX RECON DATE BOARDED 20070717 TYPE OF DISCHARGE DATE OF DISCHARGE DISCHARGE AUTHORITY . . . . . DISCHARGE REASON BOARD DECISION (NC, GRANT , DENY, GRANT PLUS) REVIEW AUTHORITY ISSUES 1. 107 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.