| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Jessie B. Strickland | Analyst |
| Mr. Luther L. Santiful | Chairperson | |
| Ms. Barbara J. Ellis | Member | |
| Mr. William D. Powers | Member |
2. The applicant requests, in effect, that his report of separation (DD Form 214) dated 31 August 1972, be corrected to reflect in block 22c, the correct amount of time he served in Vietnam and that his awards for service in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) be included on that form as well.
3. The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 shows in block 30 (Remarks), the correct periods he served in Vietnam; however, the amount of time in block 22c is incorrect. He further states that his DD Form 214 does not reflect the awards he received for service in the ETO.
4. The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 1 March 1946 and was honorably discharged on the same day for the purpose of enlisting in the Regular Army. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 2 March 1946 for a period of 1½ years. He served in Germany from July to December 1946, when he was returned to Fort Benning, Georgia. He was honorably discharged on 2 September 1947, due to the expiration of his term of service. He again enlisted at Fort Meade, Maryland on 17 November 1952 and remained on active duty through a series of continuous reenlistments.
5. His records show that he served in Vietnam from 2 October 1967 through 5 December 1969 and that he was assigned to the United States Military Assistance Command – Vietnam (MACV). He was honorably discharged on 21 April 1970, for the purpose of immediate reenlistment. His DD Form 214 issued at that time was properly prepared to reflect the overseas service served during the period covered by that document and reflected his service in Vietnam.
6. He returned to Vietnam on 13 February 1971 and served with the United States Army Engineer Command until his departure on 4 January 1972.
7. He was honorably released from active duty in the pay grade of E-6 on 31 August 1972 and was transferred to the Retired List effective 1 September 1972. His DD Form 214 shows in block 22c, that he served 11 months and 22 days of foreign and/or sea service in Vietnam during the period covered by the DD Form 214. It also indicates that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, the Good Conduct Medal (5th Award), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal with two silver service stars.
8. A review of his records also shows that he was awarded the World War II (WWII) Victory Medal, the Army Occupation Medal (AOM) (Germany) and the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM); however, they were not included on his DD Form 214 at the time of separation.
9. Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register-Vietnam Era) was published to assist commanders and personnel officers in determining or establishing the eligibility of individual members for campaign participation credit, assault landing credit, and unit citation badges awarded during the Vietnam Conflict. Table 1 (Army Units in Numerical Order) of the pamphlet indicates that the applicant’s unit was authorized awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation (RVNGC w/Palm).
10. Army Regulation 635-5 serves as the authority for preparation of the DD Form 214. It provides, in pertinent part, that only foreign and/or sea service that is performed during the period covered by the DD Form 214 will be included in block 22c.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant’s service in Vietnam is properly reflected on his final DD Form 214 dated 31 August 1972, as is his service on his DD Form 214 dated 21 April 1970, which reflects his first tour in Vietnam. Accordingly, there is no basis to change that data.
2. However, it does appear than an administrative error resulted in his awards of the AOM (Germany), the WWII Victory Medal and the NDSM being omitted from his DD Form 214 at the time of his retirement. Accordingly, it would be in the interest of justice to do so at this time.
3. Additionally, the applicant was entitled to receive awards of the MUC and the RVNGC w/Palm Unit Citation. Therefore, it would also be appropriate to award him those awards at this time.
4. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the AOM (Germany), the WWII Victory Medal and the NDSM, and that he be awarded the MUC and RVNGC w/Palm Unit Citation.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
___ls____ ___wdp _ ___be___ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
_____Luther L. Santiful_____
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2002075347 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 2002/12/17 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. 189 | 110.0000/CORR 214 |
| 2. 140 | 107.0094/VNGC |
| 3. 80 | 107.0034/MUC |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120011176
The applicant requests correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) to show award of the Distinguished Unit Citation/Presidential Unit Citation (DUC/PUC), Army of Occupation Medal-Germany (AOM-Germany), American Campaign Medal (ACM), and World War II (WWII) Victory Medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the WWII Victory Medal and AOM-Germany to...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003086407C070212
The applicant requests, in effect, that his report of separation (DD Form 214) dated 31 July 1953, be corrected to show all of his awards, including the Combat Action Ribbon (CAR), the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), the Army Occupation Medal (Japan), the Army Occupation Medal (Germany), one silver service star and one bronze service star. The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 does not accurately reflect all of his awards and decorations and his participation in campaigns....
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090002526
The evidence includes orders awarding the FSM the BSM 1st Oak Leaf Cluster (2nd Award) for heroism on 13 and 14 December 1944 in Germany, and a letter from the Commanding General, Army Service Forces, which confirmed the FSM's eligibility for the CMB and directed he be issued this award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending item 33 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 by deleting the current list of awards and...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110013274
Therefore, the BSM is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized the CIB for service during WWII. The evidence also shows that during his tenure of assignment, the applicants unit received participation credit for the Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, and Rhineland campaigns of WWII and as a result, item 32 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 should be corrected accordingly. As a result, there is insufficient evidence to support a correction of the record to show a 2nd award of the BSM.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060017037C071029
The applicant requests, in effect, that the records of her deceased father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to reflect the following awards to which he was entitled: Army of Occupation Medal (AOM) with Germany Clasp; 3 bronze service stars reflecting his World War II campaign participation; an appropriate Belgium unit award for his unit's citation in the Order of the Day of the Belgium Army; American Campaign Medal; and France Clasp for World War II Victory Medal. The...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090020485
The applicant requests that his deceased father be awarded two Silver Stars and two additional awards of the Bronze Star Medal; however, there are no orders or other evidence in his Official Military Personnel File authorizing these awards. Department of the Army (DA) Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows that during his service with the Heavy Mortar Company of the 180th Infantry Regiment in Korea, this unit was awarded the Distinguished Unit...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110021086
The applicant requests correction of his record to add his Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and to be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM). They also confirmed the applicant received the CIB at the same time they did and the BSM was authorized after the war ended for members of the infantry who held the CIB based on combat service during WWII and they received this award. Although the WD AGO Form 53-55 does not include the CIB, given the applicant held and served in a qualifying infantry MOS...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100014067
This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicants 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. Item 36 (Service Outside Continental United States and Return) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he departed the United States for the ETO on 10 January 1945. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090013059
Chapter 5 of the awards regulation contains guidance on service medals and service ribbons. Therefore, it would be appropriate to correct item 32 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to reflect all eight campaigns identified and to correct item 33 by adding the DUC 1st Oak Leaf Cluster (2nd Award), Army Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, and 1 silver service star, 3 bronze service stars and 1 bronze arrowhead with his EAME Campaign Medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100024094
The applicant requests his DD Form 214 be corrected to reflect his foreign service and his awards for service in Vietnam. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicants 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. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected...