IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 7 July 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140019385 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) for the period ending 11 August 1969 to show the Valorous Unit Award (i.e., Meritorious Unit Commendation). 2. The applicant states he is providing General Orders (GO) Number 50, issued by Headquarters (HQ), Department of the Army (DA) on 9 November 1971, wherein it shows his unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. He believes it was merely an oversight at the time of his discharge. 3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 and DAGO Number 50. 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 enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) on 23 February 1964. He entered initial active duty for training (ADT) on 20 April 1964. He was honorably released from ADT on 25 September 1964 to the control of the USAR. He was subsequently assigned to the 452nd Supply Company, 34th Supply and Service (S&S) Battalion, Winthrop, MN. 3. He was ordered to active duty as a member of his Reserve unit and he entered active duty on 6 May 1968. He served in Vietnam from 24 September 1968 to 1 August 1969 while assigned as follow from: * 24 September 1968 to 9 March 1969, 452nd Supply Company * 10 March to 16 July 1969, 560th Supply Company, 34th S&S Battalion * 16 July to 1 August 1969, 452nd Supply Company 4. He was honorably released from active duty on 11 August 1969 to the control of the USAR. The DD Form 214 he was issued for this period of service shows he was awarded/authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal with (1960) Device * Vietnam Service Medal * one overseas service bar * Army Commendation Medal * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machine Gun Bar (M-60) 5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. A bronze service star is authorized with this award for each Vietnam campaign a member is credited with participating in. A review of his records shows that during his service in Vietnam he participated in four campaigns. 6. DA Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This pamphlet shows the 452nd Supply Company was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation, for the period 16 September 1968 through 31 March 1969 by DAGO Number 50, dated 1971. 7. DA Pamphlet 672-3, paragraph 6d states DAGO Number 8, dated 1974, announced award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation to HQ, United States Army Vietnam and its subordinate units during the period 20 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. GO awarded the applicant's unit in Vietnam the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation during the period he was assigned to the unit. Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show these unit awards. 2. His record confirms he participated in four campaigns during his service in Vietnam. Therefore, he is entitled to four bronze service stars for wear on his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal and it would be appropriate to correct his DD Form 214 accordingly. 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 amending his DD Form 214 by: * deleting the Vietnam Service Medal * adding the: * Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars * Meritorious Unit Commendation * 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) AR20140019385 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140019385 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1