Search Decisions

Decision Text

ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100017263
Original file (20100017263.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

		IN THE CASE OF:	

		BOARD DATE:	13 January 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100017263 


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 award of the Air Medal and Air Medal (lst Oak Leaf Cluster).

2.  The applicant states he was assigned non-crewmember status in 1969 and it is an injustice that the above awards are not entered on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant provides copies of General Orders Numbers 2604 and 2603, Headquarters, 1st Signal Brigade, both dated 16 October 1969, awarding him the Air Medal and Air Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) respectively.  

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 Regular Army on 21 February 1967.  He completed his training and he was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 72B (Communications Center Specialist).

3.  On 5 October 1968, the applicant was assigned duty in the Republic of Vietnam in MOS 72B.  On 18 October 1968, he was assigned to the 446th Crypto Detachment.  On 20 Dec 1969, he was assigned to the 513th Signal Detachment with the I Corps Tactical Zone (CTZ) Signal Group.  On                  20 December 1968, he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 12th Signal Group.  He remained with this unit until he departed from Vietnam on 30 September 1969.

4.  On 4 October 1969, the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Reinforcement).  He attained the rank/grade of sergeant (SGT)/E-5 and he completed 2 years, 
7 months, and 24 days of total active service.

5.  His DD Form 214 shows in Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal (properly known as the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)), Good Conduct Medal, and Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge (M-14 Rifle).

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), paragraph 2-13, contains the regulatory guidance on the Vietnam Service Medal.  It states, in pertinent part, that a bronze service star is authorized with this award for each Vietnam campaign a member is credited with participating in.  Appendix B shows that during his service in Vietnam, the applicant participated in the following four campaigns:

* the Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase V, 1 July 1968-1 November 1968
* the Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VI, 2 November 1968-22 February 1969
* the Tet 69 Counteroffensive, 23 February 1969-8 June 1969
* the Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969, 9 June 1969-31 October 1969

7.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam.  Department of the Army General Orders 8, dated 1974, announced award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for service in Vietnam to Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam and its subordinate units during the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973.
8.  The applicant provided copies of general orders authorizing him two awards of the Air Medal.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Records show the applicant participated in four designated campaign phases during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.  Therefore, he is eligible for four bronze stars for wear on his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal. 

2.  The applicant's unit was cited in general orders for award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.  

3.  The applicant provided copies of the general orders awarding him the Air Medal and Air Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster). 

4.  The evidence of record also shows the applicant qualified for and was authorized award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960).  However, his DD Form 214 shows this award as the "Vietnam Campaign Medal." 

5.  His DD Form 214 should be corrected to properly show the above 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:

	a.  deleting from item 24 of his DD Form 214 the Vietnam Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal; and 



	b.  adding to item 24 of his DD Form 214 the Air Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), and the 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)                                         AR20100010115



3


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100017263



4


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1

Similar Decisions

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100026169

    Original file (20100026169.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant requests correction of his records to show award of the Bronze Star Medal. However, there are no orders or any other Army records that show the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal or that he was recommended for the award. Therefore, the Board requests that the CMSD, ABCMR, administratively correct the records of the individual concerned by: a. deleting from item 24 of his 4 October 1967, DD Form 214 the "VSM" [Vietnam Service Medal]; b. adding to item 24 of his 4...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100000509

    Original file (20100000509.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in: a. item 29 (Qualification in Arms) that he qualified Marksman with the M-16 rifle on 29 December 1966; b. item 31 (Foreign Service) that he served in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) from 16 February 1967 through 7 April 1969; c. item 38 (Record of Assignments) that he was assigned to: (1) Signal Company, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, from 21 February through 7 May 1967; (2) Headquarters and...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110003925

    Original file (20110003925.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    General orders (GO) issued by Headquarters, 1st Signal Brigade, USASTRATCOM, awarded the applicant the following: * Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in the RVN from 6 August 1968 to 31 May 1969 by GO Number 1304, dated 18 June 1969 * Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement in the RVN from 22 September to 13 November 1969 by GO Number 214, dated 23 January 1970 * Bronze Star Medal with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster [2nd Award] for meritorious service in the RVN from 1 June 1969 to...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100019292

    Original file (20100019292.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    The applicant's DD Form 214 indicates: a. in item 5a (Grade, Rank or Rate): specialist five (temporary); b. in item 5b (DOR): 24 February 1968; and c. in Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized): awards of the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, [Republic of] Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, Air Medal with 6 oak leaf clusters, and the Aircraft Crewman Badge. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Awards), in...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050015465C070206

    Original file (20050015465C070206.doc) Auto-classification: Approved

    The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record indicates at: a. item 31, service in Vietnam from 18 June 1968 through 8 June 1969; b. item 38 (Record of Assignments), service with the 335th Radio Research Company from 24 June 1968 through 29 September 1968 and the 156th Aviation Company, 224th Aviation Battalion in Vietnam from 3 October 1968 through 5 June 1969; c. item 39, service during four campaign periods; d. item 41 (Awards and Decorations), award of the Good Conduct...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100007968

    Original file (20100007968.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows that during his service with his two units in Vietnam: a. the 2nd Battalion, 9th Artillery, was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for service from 1 September 1968 to 28 July 1969 based on Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 3, dated 1970, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for service from 1...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100010893

    Original file (20100010893.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    He served with the 271st Aviation Company from 5 April 1968 through 14 October 1968 as a 67U c. He served with the 271st Aviation Company from 27 June 1969 through 31 October 1970 as a 67U; d. He participated during four campaign periods; e. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Air Medal (2nd Award) with "V" Device, Army Commendation Medal...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140003436

    Original file (20140003436.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    His DD Form 214 lists his authorized awards as the – * National Defense Service Medal * Air Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Distinguished Flying Cross * Army Aviator Badge * Vietnam Cross of Gallantry * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) 5. The applicant provided evidence showing he received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with a Gold Star as a personal decoration. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110004347

    Original file (20110004347 .txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    3rd Surgical Hospital General Orders Number 211 of 31 December 1967 awarding him the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 30 December 1967; b. USARV Form 157-R (Recommendation for Decoration for Valor or Merit) showing that, on 30 January 1968, the company commanding [a major] recommended, in a narrative of approximately 450 words, that the applicant be awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service for the period 19 April 1968 through 18 April 1968; c. 1st Aviation Brigade...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130016834

    Original file (20130016834.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    Therefore, he is entitled to award of the AGCM (1st Award) for the period 28 November 1966 to 19 November 1968 and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. The evidence also shows he participated in six campaigns during his service in Vietnam. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for the period 28 November 1966 to 19 November 1968; b. deleting...