IN THE CASE OF:  	  

		BOARD DATE:	1 December 2009  

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20090012036 


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 reconsideration of an earlier request for award of the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960).

2.  The applicant states that he did not know he would be eligible for these medals until he joined a group of veterans who served in Thailand and received information from the National Personnel Records Center and from other men who served in Thailand the same time he was there.  He points out that he served with the 712th Preventive Medicine Unit and Headquarters, 428th Medical Battalion, during his tour in Thailand from 1966 to 1967.  He contends that he does not want something he is not entitled to but he thinks his time in the Army and in Thailand did do a very, very small thing to help in the war in Vietnam.

3.  The applicant provides attachment orders, dated 10 February 1967, 31 March 1967, and 14 April 1967, which show he was attached to the 428th Medical Battalion; a pay voucher for the period 1-31 May 1967; a DA Form 2962 (Security Termination Statement and Debriefing Certificate), dated 4 October 1967; documentation from the Defense Technical Information Center; a letter of appreciation; and a certificate of achievement in support of his request for reconsideration.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20080002471 on 31 July 2008.

2.  The documentation provided by the applicant is new evidence which will be considered by the Board.

3.  The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 10 January 1966.  He successfully completed basic training and advanced individual training in military occupational specialty 71H (personnel management specialist).  He arrived in Thailand on 1 November 1966.  He was assigned to the 712th Preventive Medicine Unit in Thailand from 3 November 1966 through 1 April 1967.  He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 428th Medical Battalion, in Thailand from 2 April 1967 through 18 May 1967.  He was assigned to the 712th Preventive Medicine Unit in Thailand from 19 May 1967 through 19 October 1967.  On 20 October 1967, the applicant was honorably released from active duty.

4.  There is no evidence of record which shows the applicant's units served in direct support of operations in Vietnam.

5.  There is no evidence of record which shows the applicant served in Vietnam.

6.  In his original application, the applicant provided a letter from Headquarters, United States Army Support Command, Thailand, dated 17 July 1968, which authorized the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) for all personnel serving in Thailand.  The distribution list included members assigned to the 256th Personnel Service Company; the 538th Engineer Battalion; the 809th Engineer Battalion; the 46th Special Forces Company; U.S. Army Area Support Headquarters, Bangkok; and U.S. Army Area Support Headquarters, Sattahip.       

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Service Medal.  This 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.  Members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia, or the airspace there over, during the same period and serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam are also eligible for this award.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.  This medal 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 during this period.  Qualifying service outside the geographical limits of the Republic of Vietnam required the individual to provide direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces for 6 months and meet the criteria established for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam) or the Vietnam Service Medal.
9.  Direct support is defined in Army Regulation 600-8-22 as services being supplied to combat forces in the area of eligibility by ground units, ships, and aircraft providing supplies and equipment to the forces concerned, provided it involves actually entering the designated area; and ships and aircraft providing fire, patrol, guard, reconnaissance, or other military support.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served as a personnel management specialist assigned to the 712th Preventive Medicine Unit and Headquarters, 428th Medical Battalion during his tour in Thailand.  

2.  The applicant's contention that he thinks his time in Thailand helped the war in Vietnam was carefully considered.  However, "direct support" is defined as services being supplied to combat forces in the area of eligibility by ground units, ships, and aircraft providing supplies and equipment to the forces concerned, provided it involves actually entering the designated area.  The applicant has provided no evidence that shows he entered an area of eligibility.  His units are not shown on the 17 July 1968 letter from Headquarters, United States Army Support Command, Thailand which authorized the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) for all personnel serving in Thailand.    

3.  There is no evidence of record and the applicant has provided no evidence which shows he served a period of qualifying service in Vietnam or that while serving in Thailand he served in direct support of operations in Vietnam.  Therefore, there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Vietnam Service Medal or the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960).









BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X____  ___X____  ____X__  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20080002471, dated 31 July 2008.



      _____________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)                                         AR20090012036



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090012036



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