BOARD DATE: 25 January 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100017711 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 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show any awards he is authorized including recognition for his Vietnam service. 2. The applicant states his records should show his service in Vietnam. 3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. 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 also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant's military records show he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 3 October 1962. He completed initial entry training and he was awarded military occupational specialty 711.20 (clerk typist). The highest rank/grade he attained during his service was specialist four (SP4)/E-4. 3. His DA Form 24 (Service Record) shows he performed duties as a clerk typist while assigned to the 98th Transportation Detachment in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 31 August 1963 through 18 September 1964. 4. He was honorably released from active duty on 21 September 1964 and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Annual Training) to complete his remaining Reserve obligation. He completed 1 year, 11 months, and 19 days of total active service. 5. Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-1). 6. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the unit he was assigned to while serving in the Republic of Vietnam was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on DAGO Number 46, dated 1968. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) was awarded by the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973. Qualifying service included assignment in Vietnam for 6 months or more. 8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 and 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974, 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995, and 11 September 2001 and a date to be determined. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. General orders awarded his unit the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this unit award. 2. His records show he served in a qualifying area and time frame for award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960). As such, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. 3. The applicant served during a qualifying period for award of the National Defense Service Medal. Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this award. 4. In view of the foregoing, the applicant is entitled to have his records corrected as shown below. BOARD VOTE: ___x___ ___x_____ ___x_____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 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 adding to item 26 of his DD Form 214 the: * National Defense Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation _________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) AR20100017711 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100017711 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1