BOARD DATE: 15 April 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130014624
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 Joint Service Commendation Medal.
2. The applicant states the Joint Service Commendation Medal was awarded in June/July 1968 at the National Security Agency after his discharge from military service.
3. The applicant provides:
* National Security Agency Citation for Award of the Joint Service Commendation Medal
* photograph with an annotation on the reverse
* National Personnel Records Center letter, dated 3 September 2012
* 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 1 June 1964. He completed training as an Amharic-speaking linguist.
3. A review of his military records does not show any orders awarding him the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
4. On 31 May 1968, the applicant was honorably released from active duty at the expiration of his term of service. He completed 4 years of total active service. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the:
* National Defense Service Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* two overseas service bars
* Army Good Conduct Medal
* Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14)
5. On 28 August 2012, the National Archives and Records Administration amended the applicant's DD Form 214 by deleting award of the Vietnam Service Medal and adding award of the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.
6. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System (ADCARS), an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam Era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command Military Awards Branch, failed to reveal any orders for award of the Joint Service Commendation Medal.
7. The applicant submitted a copy of a National Security Agency Citation for Award of the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He also submitted a copy of a photograph of four individuals. One of the individuals in the photograph is holding what appears to be a citation for an award; however, the type of award shown is not clear and the individuals are not identified.
8. The Joint Service Commendation Medal was authorized by the Secretary of Defense on 25 June 1963. It is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while assigned to a joint activity after 1 January 1963, distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant's contentions have been noted and his supporting evidence has been considered.
2. As previously stated, the Joint Service Commendation Medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service while assigned to a joint activity after 1 January 1963. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
3. There are no orders in the applicant's records or in ADCARS and the applicant has not provided any orders showing he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. In the absence of the orders awarding him the Joint Service Commendation Medal, this award should not be added to his DD Form 214.
4. In view of the foregoing, the applicant's request should be denied.
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 the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
___________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) AR20130014624
3
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130014624
4
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140002157
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) ending on 14 December 1973 to show the: * Bronze Star Medal * Purple Heart * Joint Service Commendation Medal * Army Commendation Medal * Korea Defense Service Medal 2. However, in the absence of orders or documentation that conclusively shows he was wounded or injured as a result of enemy action and treated for those wounds, in addition to a record of treatment and that...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070018225
Standard Forms (SF) 88 (Report of Medical Examination), dated 16 August 1967 and 14 April 1970. j. SF 89 (Report of Medical History), dated 16 August 1967 and 19 April 1970. k. Two DA Forms 2658 (Health Record-Abstract of Service), dated in November 1967. l. DA Form 1811 (Physical and Mental Status or Release from Active Service), dated 9 April 1970. m. SF 600 (Chronological Record of Medical Care), dated 9 December 1968. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant's DA Form 20 does...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20120000269
The applicant requests award or and/or correction of his DD Form 214 to show the several commemorative awards and these additional awards: * Army Distinguished Service Medal * Legion of Merit * Joint Service Commendation Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Presidential Unit Citation * Vietnam Wound Medal 2. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090000676
The applicants available military personnel records are absent orders or any evidence to show he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. Therefore, based on the available evidence, no action is required by the Board to correct the FSMs records to show these awards and decorations. There are no orders or other evidence in the FSMs available military personnel records that show the FSM was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100027172
The applicant requests reconsideration of his earlier request for award of the: * Combat Infantryman Badge * Arrowhead Device with the Vietnam Service Medal * Joint Service Commendation Medal 2. His service record does not indicate he was awarded an infantry MOS. However, the applicant's service record does not show he was authorized award of the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Army Board for Correction of Military Records has no authority to award a Defense medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080007092
IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 24 JUNE 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080007092 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, that her records be corrected to reflect she was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal for her retirement award, which covers 20 years of service to the U.S. Army and not just for the 1 year that she served with the Special United States Liaison Activity, Korea (SUSLAK) and 501st Military Intelligence Brigade. Army Regulation...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100024851
The applicant submits: * a copy of his DD Form 1056 (Authorization for a "No-Fee" Passport) * two Special Orders * a Standard Form 1012a (Travel Voucher) * his DD Form 214 * two photographs CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Evidence of record shows the applicant served in Vietnam from 6 April 1963 to 9 April 1963. 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 his DD Form 214 the National Defense...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080000643
Records show that Special Orders awarded the applicant the Joint Service Commendation Medal with V Device for exceptionally valorous service in the performance of duties on 15 December 1973. Therefore, it would be appropriate to correct his records to show this unit award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from his DD Form 214 the Legion of Merit, Air Medal with V Device (2nd Award),...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100010183
The applicant requests the following awards: * Combat Infantryman Badge * Purple Heart * Arrowhead Device for the Vietnam Service Medal based on participation in an amphibious assault in conjunction with the 1st Marine Division during the Spring of 1968 * Joint Service Commendation Medal based on combat duty performed with the 1st Marine Division during the Tet Counteroffensive campaign in 1968 2. The applicant states the following: * He was wounded in combat as an infantry squad member *...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090013427
General Orders Number 839, U.S. Army Support Command, Vietnam, dated 11 December 1964, awarded the applicant the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service during the period from 30 October 1963 to 30 October 1964. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 effective 31 March 1974 to show award of the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned...