BOARD DATE:	  2 August 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110001996 


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 record to show his award of the Master Parachutist Badge with one bronze service star and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (ROKPUC).

2.  The applicant states that during the 10 September 1950 to 13 June 1951 timeframe he was assigned to Battery B, 674th Airborne Field Artillery Battalion, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team in Korea.  He states his unit landed by air on Kimpo Airstrip during the Inchon invasion and he was awarded an arrowhead device for that assault.  He further states he participated in the combat jump with his unit at Munsan-ni and he wore the bronze star on his Parachutist Badge to denote his combat jump during his career; however, it is not reflected on his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty). 

3.  The applicant provides:

* A self-authored letter explaining his application
* His DD Form 214 and two DD Forms 215 (Correction to DD Form 214)
* His DD Form 13 (Statement of Service)

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 2 October 1946.  He served through a series of reenlistments as a supply sergeant until he was retired in the rank of sergeant major on 31 December 1976 after having served 30 years of total active service.

3.  Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his retirement DD Form 214, as corrected by two DD Forms 215, dated 29 October 2004 and 30 July 2009, shows the:

* Bronze Star Medal (7th oak leaf cluster (OLC))
* Meritorious Service Medal
* Army Commendation Medal (4th OLC)
* Army Good Conduct Medal (7th Award)
* World War II Victory Medal
* Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp
* National Defense Service Medal (1st OLC)
* Korean Service Medal with four bronze service stars and arrowhead device
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam)
* Vietnam Service Medal with three silver service stars
* Korea Defense Service Medal
* United Nations Service Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Meritorious Unit Commendation (4th OLC)
* Republic of Korea War Service Medal
* Master Parachutist Badge
* Driver and Mechanic Badge with Driver-W Bar
* Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar
* Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Carbine Bar

It does not reflect an award of the ROKPUC or the Master Parachutist Badge with one bronze service star.

4.  A search of the applicant's microfiche record contained in his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) shows that on 9 January 1950, he was assigned to Battery B, 674th Airborne Field Artillery Battalion, at Fort Campbell, KY.  It also shows he was awarded the Parachutist Badge on 25 August 1950.

5.  He departed Fort Campbell for Japan with his unit and he arrived in Mojiko, Japan on 23 September 1950.  He departed Ashiya Air Force Base, Japan with his unit on 30 September 1950 and he arrived at Kimpo on the same day as part of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team.  He departed Korea on 30 May 1951 for Japan and he was subsequently sent back to Fort Campbell.

6.  His record shows he was given assault landing credit for the Kimpo Peninsula Campaign from 30 September to 2 October 1950 and he was credited with a combat jump during the airborne invasion of Munsan-ni from 23 - 27 March 1951.

7.  He was awarded the Master Parachutist Badge by Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division on 19 February 1963.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states a bronze service star is authorized to be worn on the Parachutist Badge to denote a Soldier's participation in a combat parachute jump and orders are required to confirm award of these badges.  Credit for a combat parachute jump is related directly to credit for a combat assault landing for the unit to which the Soldier is assigned at the time of the assault.  The unit must be credited with a combat assault in order for the Soldier to receive the Parachutist Badge with the bronze service star affixed.  Each Soldier must physically exit the aircraft to receive combat assault credit and the Parachutist Badge with bronze service star.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in during World War II and the Korean War.  This pamphlet shows the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, the unit to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the ROKPUC during the period 19 September 1950 through
31 July 1952 by Department of the Army General Orders 41, dated 1955.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s contention that his record should be corrected to reflect his awards of the ROKPUC and the Master Parachutist Badge with one bronze service star has been noted and appears to have merit.
2.  The applicant participated in a combat jump at Munsan-ni with his unit and his unit was granted assault landing credit.  Accordingly, he is authorized the Master Parachutist Badge with one bronze service star and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.

3.  Additionally, his unit was awarded the ROKPUC during the period he served with his unit in Korea.  Accordingly, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this unit 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 from item 26 of his DD Form 214 the Master Parachutist Badge, and

	b.  adding to item 26 of his DD Form 214 the:

* Master Parachutist Badge with one bronze service star
* Republic of Korea Presidential 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)                                         AR20110001996



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110001996



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