IN THE CASE OF:	   

		BOARD DATE:	  19 October 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110008467 


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 his earlier request for correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960).

2.  He states he/his:

* was a command sergeant major with over 20 years of experience in the U.S. Army
* believes he qualifies for both medals
* was directly supporting operations in Vietnam and they [his unit] supplied Air Force personnel for bombing runs in North Vietnam out of his base in Thailand
* unit, 501st Field Depot, deactivated and he was the last acting command sergeant major of that supply depot
* unit supplied food, clothing, fuel and ammunition to Sattihip Bangkok Air Force Base, Udorn Laos Border, Nakhon Phanom (NKP), Takli Air Force Base, Korat Air Force Base, and Sakakohon Air Force Base 

3.  He provides various orders (temporary duty, discharge, assignment, and appointment), and internet information on the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960).



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 AR20100018649 on 10 February 2011.  

2.  The applicant provided new arguments and evidence [as indicated above] that will be considered by the Board.  

3.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 April 1948 and he continued to serve on active duty through a series of reenlistments.  

4.  He provided the following orders which show:

Headquarters Issuing Order
Action 
Effective/report date
U.S. Army 6th Recruiting District, Special Orders Number 34, dated 24 February 1967
Reassigned to 501st Depot, Granite City Army Depot Illinois 
5 March 1967
501st Field Depot, Special Orders Number 30, dated 28 March 1967
Appointed to promotion board
28 March 1967
U.S. Army Support Thailand, Special Orders Number 98, dated 27 April 1967
Honorably discharged and reenlisted in the Regular Army 
28 April 1967 and 29 April 1967
501st Field Depot, Letter Order Number T-397, dated 6 September 1967
Temporary duty to Thailand for Noncommissioned Officer Advisory Council Meeting for 3 days
15 September 1967
Special Orders Number 188, dated 13 October 1967
Appointed to promotion board
13 October 1967
501st Field Depot, Special Orders Number 211, dated 14 November 1967
Reassigned to Headquarters, U.S. Army Recruiting District
8 March 1968
501st Field Depot, Special Orders Number 229, dated 7 December 1967
Appointed to Character Guidance Council 
7 December 1967
5.  His DD Form 214 for the period ending 28 April 1967 shows in:

* Item 11b (Station or Installation at Which Effected) the entry "Camp Friendship, Thailand"
* Item 12 (Last Duty Assignment and Major Command) the entry "501st Field Depot, APO SF 96233, USARPAC [U.S. Army Pacific]"
* Item 22c (Foreign and/or Sea Service) the entry "USARPAC  0  1  13" indicating 1 month and 13 days

6.  His DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 April 1968 shows in:

* Item 12 (Last Duty Assignment and Major Command) the entry "501st Field Depot, USARPAC"
* Item 20 (Place or Entry into Current Active Service) the entry "Camp Friendship, Thailand"
* Item 22c (Foreign and/or Sea Service) the entry "USARPAC  0  10  9"

7.  His service record does not contain evidence which shows he served in direct support of operations in Vietnam.

8.  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign, Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Forms 214 do not show award of the Vietnam Service Medal or the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960).

9.  The applicant was honorably retired on 30 April 1968, in the rank/grade of sergeant major (SGM)/E-9, by reason of retirement with over 20 years of service. He was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Retired).

10.  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.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) 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 or more.  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.



DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's contentions in regard to his entitlement to award of the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) are acknowledged.  However, the evidence of record does not support his claims.

2.  The evidence of record shows he served a tour of duty in Thailand with the 501st Field Depot.  However, no evidence is available which confirms he served in direct support of the Republic of Vietnam during his assignment in Thailand.  He states his unit provided supplies to Air Force Bases located in Thailand.  It appears his unit provided "indirect support," not "direct support."

3.  Therefore, there is insufficient evidence on which to grant him award of the Vietnam Service Medal or 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 AR20100018649, dated 10 February 2011.  



      _______ _   __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)                                         AR20110008467





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110008467



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