IN THE CASE OF:    

		BOARD DATE:  30 December 2014	  

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140005273 


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 the FSM's DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to show award of the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 4th Oak Leaf Cluster, and all unit awards he is authorized.

2.  The applicant states that after reviewing the FSM's records following his death, additional awards were discovered that were not recorded on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant provides the FSM's DD Form 214 for the period ending 31 January 1975, Meritorious Service Medal Certificate, Citation, and orders; Army Commendation Medal Certificate, Citation, and orders; marriage certificate; and death certificate.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The FSM enlisted in the Regular Army on 10 January 1955.  He reenlisted on 10 January 1958, 28 October 1960, and 28 October 1966.

2.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he served in Vietnam from 6 December 1966 to 29 November 1967 with the 9th Military Police Company.

3.  On 27 October 1970, he was discharged for the purpose of immediate reenlistment.  His DD Form 214 for this period of service shows he was awarded or authorized the:

* Army Commendation Medal with 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster
* National Defense Service Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* two overseas service bars
* Bronze Star Medal
* Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award)

4.  On 28 October 1970, he reenlisted for a period of 4 years.

5.  Headquarters, U.S. Army Military District of Washington, General Orders Number 175, dated 25 November 1970, awarded him the Army Commendation Medal with 4th Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement during the period 1 February-20 October 1970.

6.  On 5 February 1971, he was appointed as a warrant officer in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) with concurrent call to active duty.

7.  Headquarters, U.S. Army Military District of Washington, General Orders Number 259, dated 27 March 1972, awarded him the Meritorious Service Medal for meritorious service during the period 16 February 1968 to 1 November 1971.

8.  His DA Form 66 (Officer Qualification Record) shows he served in Korea from 19 March 1972 to 9 May 1973.  It also shows he was awarded the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar effective 27 March 1974.

9.  The FSM retired on 31 January 1975.  His DD Form 214 for this period of service shows he was awarded or authorized the:

* Parachutist Badge
* Army Good Conduct Medal (4th Award)
* Army Commendation Medal with 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster
* Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Bronze Star Medal
* Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
* five overseas service bars

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea.  The period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense.

11.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam.  This pamphlet shows that during his assignment to the 9th Military Police Company, this unit was cited in general orders for award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for the period 19 December 1966 to 28 June 1969.

12.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time of the FSM's retirement, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army.  It established standardized policy for preparation of the DD Form 214 and stated that item 26 (Decoration, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) covered the entire Army service.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  General orders show the FSM was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal but this award is not shown on his final DD Form 214.  Therefore, his DD Form 214 for the period ending 31 January 1975 should be corrected to show this award.

2.  General orders also show he was awarded the fifth award of the Army Commendation Medal.  However, his final DD Form 214 only shows four awards of the Army Commendation Medal.  Therefore, his DD Form 214 for the period ending 31 January 1975 should be corrected to show the Army Commendation Medal (5th Award).

3.  Based on his service in Korea, the FSM is authorized award of the Korea Defense Service Medal and correction of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 31 January 1975 to show this award.

4.  His DA Form 66 shows he was awarded the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar effective 27 March 1974.  This badge should be added to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 31 January 1975.

5.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows his unit in Vietnam was cited in general orders for award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  Therefore, his DD Form 214 for the period ending 31 January 1975 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 the evidence presented is 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 award of the Army Commendation Medal with 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster from the FSM's DD Form 214 for the period ending 31 January 1975 and

	b.  adding the following awards to the FSM's DD Form 214 for the period ending 31 January 1975:

* Meritorious Service Medal
* Army Commendation Medal (5th Award)
* Korea Defense Service Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation
* Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar



      _______ _   _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)                                         AR20140005273



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140005273



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