BOARD DATE: 29 September 2011
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110006071
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, the widow of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of her husband's DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his award of the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM).
2. The applicant states the FSM served in Thailand from 27 August to 3 December 1962 and when he requested his medals and awards in 2006 he was informed that he was entitled to the VSM; however, it was never added to his record.
3. The applicant provides:
* the FSMs Alabama Certificate of Death
* page 3 of his DA Form 24 (Service Record)
* a notification informing the FSM that he was being issued the VSM
* the FSM's DD Form 214
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. The FSM was inducted into the Army of the United States in Newark, NJ on
6 September 1961. He completed his basic training at Fort Dix, NJ and his advanced individual training at Fort Chaffee, AR as a light weapons infantryman before departing for assignment to Hawaii on 12 February 1962.
2. On 27 August 1962 he was transferred to Korat, Thailand with his unit as part of Joint Task Force 116. He departed Thailand with his unit on 3 December 1962 and he was transferred back to Hawaii.
3. The FSM departed Hawaii on 5 August 1963 and he was transferred to Oakland Army Base, CA where he was honorably released from active duty on 10 August 1963 as an overseas returnee. He served 1 year, 11 months, and 5 days of total active service. Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 he was issued at the time only shows his marksmanship badges.
4. On 22 January 1970, officials at the Office of the Adjutant General in St. Louis, MO notified the FSM that he was authorized the VSM for his service in Thailand from 27 August to 3 December 1962 and authorized the issuance of a medal set to the FSM.
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. Qualifying service included attachment to or assignment for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations. Members in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia during the same period and serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam are also eligible for this award. "Direct support" is defined as services being supplied the combat forces in the area of operations 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. The VSM is retroactive to 1961 and supersedes and replaces the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal which was issued for Vietnam Service prior to 1965.
6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 and 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974, 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995, and 11 September 2001 and a date to be determined.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicants contentions have been noted and appear to have merit. The FSM was issued the award of the VSM for his service in Thailand from 27 August to 3 December 1962; however, the award was never added to his DD Form 214. Therefore, it would be appropriate at this time to correct the FSM's DD Form 214 to show this award.
2. The FSM served during a qualifying period of service for entitlement to the NDSM. Therefore, the FSM's DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this award.
BOARD VOTE:
____X____ ____X____ __X__ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
1. 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. adding to item 26 of the FSM's DD Form 214 the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal, and
b. issuing the applicant a complete medal set for the National Defense Service Medal.
2. The Board wants the applicant and all others to know that the sacrifices made by her late husband in service to the United States during the Vietnam War are deeply appreciated. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.
___________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) AR20110006071
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