IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 24 January 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110014079 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 the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. He also requests the reissuance of all his awards and decorations. 2. The applicant states: * He was awarded the ARCOM in 1967 * It was an oversight of the personnel clerk at the time of his release from active duty 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 requested reissuance of all awards and decorations. The ABCMR does not issue replacement sets. The applicant is advised that requests for medal sets for previously approved awards should be forwarded to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138. The NPRC will verify the awards to which a retiree/veteran is entitled and forward the request with verification to the appropriate service department for issuance of the medals. Requests to the NPRC may be submitted online through the eVetRecs system at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html or via mail or fax (314-801-9195) by letter or completing a Standard Form 180 (which is available for download at the same website. At a minimum, all requests must include a copy of the retiree's/veteran's separation or discharge paperwork and any other supporting documentation to substantiate his request. All requests must be signed and dated. Therefore, this portion of the applicant's request will not be discussed further in these Proceedings. 3. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 15 September 1966. He served as a light weapons infantryman assigned to Companies A and B, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam from 11 March 1967 to 24 February 1968. On 13 September 1968, he was honorably released from active duty at the expiration of his term of service and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Annual Training to complete his remaining service obligation. 4. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 he was issued at the time shows the: * Purple Heart * Army Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Combat Infantryman Badge * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar (M-16) * 2nd Class Gunner (Marksman Marksmanship Qualification) Badge with Machinegun Bar (M-160) 5. General Orders Number 1841, issued by Headquarters, 9th Infantry Division, dated 30 March 1968, awarded him the ARCOM for meritorious service in Vietnam for the period 1 March 1967 to 22 February 1968. 6. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This pamphlet shows the 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, the unit to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the: * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 1 December 1966 through 30 June 1968 by Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 31, dated 1969 * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for the period 19 December 1966 through 28 June 1969 by DAGO Number 59, dated 1969 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. General orders awarded him the ARCOM. Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this award. 2. His unit was cited for award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation during his period of assignment. Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show these unit awards. 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 24 of his DD Form 214 the: * Army Commendation Medal * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class 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) AR20110014079 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110014079 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1