IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 May 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140015315 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 the DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) for the period ending on 31 January 1977 of his deceased father, a former service member (FSM), to show award of the: * Bronze Star Medal (BSM) * Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation * Air Force Longevity Service Award (AFLSA) with one bronze oak leaf cluster 2. He states he discovered the BSM and the RVN Civil Action Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation awards were not listed on the FSM's DD Form 214 upon his death. He also states the award of the AFLSA with one bronze oak leaf cluster was listed on an earlier DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) but was not listed on the FSM's retirement DD Form 214. 3. He provides: * FSM's DD Forms 214 * Excerpt from Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) * BSM certificate, citation, and orders * FSM's Certificate of Death CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The FSM's record shows he served in the Air Force for over 11 years and was honorably discharged on 22 June 1963. His DD Form 214 for the period ending on 5 September 1962 shows he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL) (3rd Award) and the AFLSA with one bronze oak leaf cluster. 2. After having prior enlisted service in the Air Force, on 23 June 1963, the FSM was appointed as a U.S. Army Reserve warrant officer. He served in the RVN from 23 February 1968 to 12 February 1969 and he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Band, 25th Infantry Division. The FSM served in a variety of stateside and/or overseas assignments and he attained the rank/grade of chief warrant officer three (CW3). He was retired on 31 January 1977 and credited with completing 25 years, 6 month, and 20 days of active duty service. 3. The FSM's DD Form 214 for the period ending on 31 January 1977 show the: * National Defense Service Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) * GCMDL (3rd Award) * Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) * RVN Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Army Commendation Medal 4. The applicant provides Headquarters, 25th Infantry Division, General Orders Number 686, dated 22 January 1969 and a BSM certificate with a citation that show the FSM was awarded the BSM for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the RVN from February 1968 to February 1969. The orders confirm his award of the BSM. 5. The copy of the death certificate shows the FSM died on 31 July 2014. 6. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 lists the awards received by units that served in the Vietnam War. This pamphlet shows Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Band, 25th Infantry Division, during the period the FSM was assigned, was cited for the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Orders Number 51, dated 1971. 7. Appendix B of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states a bronze service star is awarded for wear on the VSM for participation in each campaign. His records indicate he participated in the following campaigns: * Tet Counteroffensive (30 January 1968 - 1 April 1968) * Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV (2 April 1968 - 30 June 1968) * Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V (1 July 1968 - 1 November 1968) * Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI (2 November 1968 - 22 February 1969) DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. General orders verify the FSM was awarded the BSM for service in Vietnam. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. 2. The evidence of record shows his unit was cited for award of the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation. Therefore, his records should be corrected to show this unit award. 3. The evidence also shows the FSM participated in four campaigns during his service in Vietnam. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show four bronze service stars for wear on his already-awarded VSM. 4. The FSM was awarded the GCDML (3rd Award) and the AFLSA with one bronze oak leaf cluster during his service in the Air Force. However, only the GCMDL (3rd Award) was added to his DD Form 214 for the period ending on 31 January 1977. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of this DD Form 214 to show this award. 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: a. deleting the Vietnam Service Medal from his DD Form 214 ending on 31 January 1977 and b. adding to his DD Form 214 for the period ending on 31 January 1977 the: * Bronze Star Medal * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation * Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars * Air Force Longevity Service Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster ____________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) AR20140015315 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140015315 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1