BOARD DATE:	  9 July 2013

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120022577 


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 completion of the Military Assistance Command - Vietnam (MACV) Recondo School and all awards and decorations.

2.  The applicant states some of his schools and medals are not shown on his DD Form 214.  He completed the Recondo course in July "2012" (1969/1970) with the 75th Rangers. 

3.  The applicant provides his DD Form 214.

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's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 6 February 1969 and he held military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).  

3.  Subsequent to completing MOS training, he attended and completed the     12-week U.S. Army Infantry School Student Noncommissioned Officer Candidate Course (Infantry Leader Course) at Fort Benning, GA.

4.  He served in Vietnam from 13 February to 23 November 1970.  He was assigned to the Americal Combat Center as a student from 18 to 27 February 1970.  He was then assigned to Company E, 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 196th Infantry Brigade, on 27 February 1970.  

5.  He was honorably released from active duty in the rank/grade of sergeant (SGT)/E-5 on 23 November 1970.  He completed 1 year, 9 months, and 18 days of active service with no lost time.  His DD Form 214 shows in:

   a.  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the:

* National Defense Service Medal
* Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14 and M-16)
* Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machine Gun Bar     (M-60)
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Army Commendation Medal
* Combat Infantryman Badge
* Vietnam Campaign Medal
* Bronze Star Medal

   b.  item 25 (Education and Training Completed) shows the Infantry Leader Course, Phase I, 12 weeks.

6.  His records do not show he completed Recondo training.   

7.  His records do not show any derogatory information in his file that would have disqualified him from receiving the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award).  Additionally, Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his period of service.  

8.  Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Decorations and Awards), in effect at the time, stated the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service completed on or after 27 August 1940; for the first award only, 1 year served entirely during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946; and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year.  The enlisted person must have had all "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings.  There must have been no convictions by a court-martial.

9.  Appendix B of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) shows that during his period of service in Vietnam participation credit was awarded for the campaigns below.  This same regulation states that a bronze service star will be awarded for wear on the Vietnam Service Medal for participation in each campaign:

* Vietnam Winter - Spring 1970, 1 November 1969 - 30 April 1970
* Sanctuary Counteroffensive, 1 May - 30 June 1970
* Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII, 1 July 1970 - 30 June 1971

10.  Department of the Army (DA) Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows during his tenure with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, his unit was cited for awards of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, for service from 31 March to 30 June 1970, based on DA General Orders Number 42, dated 1972.

11.  According to the official Army Center for Military History, during the Vietnam War, General Westmoreland noticed a failing of tactical proficiency in squad, team, and patrol leaders during the Vietnam War.  Realizing the importance of small unit leaders and individuals who had been separated from their parent units to take action against superior enemy forces, he instituted relevant training to rectify their deficiencies before unit deployment.  At the time, the Army sent many of its officers and senior non-commissioned officers to an 8-week Ranger Course.  One of the missions of a graduate of the Ranger School was to train his platoon or squad members in Ranger tactics.  An officer suggested some of the 101st Airborne's Division Ranger trained personnel start a school for the entire division in Ranger tactics.  To emphasize reconnaissance and standard infantry skills, a training school was created and called "Recondo."  The Recondo insignia of the graduates of the school would be an Indian arrowhead pointing downwards to symbolize assault from the sky to the ground in the colors of black and white for operation by day and night.  The patch would be worn on the graduate's pocket.  To avoid confusion, the graduate of the school would be considered "Redondo" rather than "Ranger" trained.  The patch was worn as long as a member was assigned to the unit that employed him, mainly in a reconnaissance platoon.  The training course was disbanded, however, with the departure of General Westmoreland from Vietnam in 1970.

12.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. Chapter 2 contains guidance on the preparation of the DD Form 214.  It states that item 25 shows education and training completed during the period covered by the DD Form 214. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  General orders awarded his unit the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation which is not shown on his DD Form 214; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this unit award.

2.  He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal.  Additionally, he participated in three campaigns while serving in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to three bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal.

3.  He served honorably from 6 February 1969 through 23 November 1970.  He attained the rank/grade of SGT/E-5 and he completed a combat tour in Vietnam. He received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his period of service with no commander's disqualification.  Therefore, it would be appropriate to award him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) and correct his DD Form 214 to show this medal.

4.  "Recondo" training is a combat training course that emphasized reconnaissance and standard infantry skills.  The applicant's sincerity with respect to completion of this training is not in question; however, he has not provided evidence in the form of a certificate of training, transcripts, or other documentary evidence to support his contention.  Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to add this training to his DD Form 214.  

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

__X__  ___X_____  ___X_____  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 partial relief.  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 
6 February 1969 through 23 November 1970; and 

   b.  adding the following awards to his DD Form 214:

* Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award)
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
* Three bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal

2.  The Board further determined that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief.  As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to the "Recondo" course. 



      _______ _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)                                         AR20120022577



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120022577



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