BOARD DATE: 18 August 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140020911
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 previous request for correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Valorous Unit Award.
2. The applicant states, in effect, he is providing new evidence that was not previously considered.
3. The applicant provides two statements of support.
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 AR20140003411, 12 November 2014.
2. As new evidence, the applicant provides:
a. A statement of support, dated 17 December 2013, wherein a Mr. FJS stated, in part, the applicant served under his command in Vietnam from January to May 1969. He had been the company commander of C Company, 19th Engineer Battalion and the applicant was assigned to a line platoon in his company after the applicant's previous unit, the 70th Engineer Company, was reduced to zero strength and the Soldiers were reassigned to various companies in the 19th Engineer Battalion. The 19th Engineer Battalion had the primary mission of maintaining and upgrading the National Highway and earned the Valorous Unit Award for "extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy." The applicant was a member of the battalion during this period and helped earn the award.
b. A statement of support, undated, wherein a Mr. JPK stated, in part, he and the applicant trained together at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, arrived together in Vietnam in September 1968, and were both assigned to the 70th Engineer Company, 19th Engineer Battalion. On 4 October 1968, he was blown up by a land mine and awarded the Purple Heart. On that day, the applicant was driving a 5 ton dump truck and was conducting a mine sweep. The applicant was there when he was injured and washed his eye out with water so he could see and respond to the enemy ambush. On 4 October 1968, everyone who was serving with the 70th Engineer Company, 19th Engineer Battalion, received the Valorous Unit Award.
3. The applicant's complete military records are not available to the Board for review. However, the applicant provided his DD Form 214 which is sufficient for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.
4. His DD Form 214 shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 17 April 1968 and he held military occupational specialty 64A (Light Vehicle Driver). He served in Vietnam from 12 September 1968 to 9 May 1969.
5. He was honorably released from active duty on 16 April 1970 and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the:
* National Defense Service Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Vietnam Campaign Medal
* one overseas service bar
6. A review of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command website shows the 19th Engineer Battalion, to include the 70th Engineer Company was cited for award of the Valorous Unit Award for the period 1 July 1967 through 31 December 1968 by Department of the Army General Orders (GO) Number 9, dated 2013.
7. On 24 January 2015, he was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) wherein it deleted the Vietnam Service Medal, and added the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
The applicant now provides statements from a former unit member and company commander that both confirm he was assigned to the 70th Engineer Company, 19th Engineer Battalion, during the period the unit was cited for award of the Valorous Unit Award. Therefore, it would be appropriate to correct his DD Form 214 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 that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant amendment of the ABCMRs decision in Docket Number AR20140003411, dated 12 November 2014. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the Valorous Unit Award to his DD Form 214.
__________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) AR20140020911
3
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140020911
3
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080002342
Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in the Republic of Vietnam. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms _ _______X ______________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100026525
THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. U.S. Army Human Resources Command Permanent Orders 252-09, dated 9 September 2009, awards the Valorous Unit Award to various 19th Engineer Battalion units for specific periods as follows: * Headquarters and Headquarters Company 16 July 1967-31 December 1968 * Companies A and B 16 July 1967-31 December 1968 * Company C 22 September 1967-31 December 1968 * Company D 30 August 1967-31 December 1968 * 70th Engineer Company 1 July-31...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100017281
Therefore, it would be appropriate to award him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 17 April 1968 to 22 November 1969 and add this award to his DD Form 214. The available records show he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and he participated in five campaigns while serving in Vietnam. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 17 April 1968 to 22...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100018846
Department of the Army General Orders 8, dated 1974, announced award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for service in Vietnam to Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam and its subordinate units during the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation was awarded to Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam and its subordinate units during the applicant's period of service in Vietnam. As a result, the Board recommends...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090017689
The applicant requests reconsideration of his previous request to correct his records to show entitlement to a Valorous Unit Award. 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 AR20060011312 on 8 March 2007. The evidence now confirms the applicant is entitled to the Valorous Unit Award which was awarded to the 137th Engineer...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110020555
The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show: a. all of his awards, to include his Bronze Star Medal (BSM) with "V" Device; b. all unit awards he may be authorized, to include the Valorous Unit Award (VUA); c. his correct primary specialty as 1331 (Combat Engineer); and d. his demolition and mine warfare training. The applicant contends, in effect, that his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140017791
Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of his DA Form 20 for this period of service shows he received all "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his service. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provided that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded to individuals who completed a qualified period of active duty enlisted service. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: *...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070011306C080213
The applicant requests, in effect, that he be awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal and that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to add the Valorous Unit Award (VUA). It stated that 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 and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090000499
The applicant requests: a. correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending 24 July 1968 to show his previously awarded Silver Star, Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal (with 3 bronze service stars), Meritorious Unit Commendation, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation; b. correction of his DD Form 214 to show the inclusive dates of his assignment in Vietnam; and c. award of the Army Good Conduct...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060011312
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 8 March 2007 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20060011312 I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. The applicant requests correction of his military records to show award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC), Valorous Unit Award (VUA), and the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp. There is no evidence...