IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	 29 October 2015 

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20150001882 


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 he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) and Parachutist Badge.

2.  The applicant states he has documents showing he completed the Airborne Course and that he was awarded the requested badge and medal.

3.  The applicant provides:

* an ARCOM Citation
* an ARCOM Certificate
* an Airborne Course Diploma
* two DA Forms 1307 (Individual Jump Record)
* a National Guard Bureau (NGB) Form 22 (Report of Separation and Record of Service)

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 AR20140002575 on 8 October 2014.

2.  The applicant provides new evidence in the form of an ARCOM Citation, an Airborne Course Diploma, and two DA Forms 1307 which were not previously considered by the Board that warrants consideration by the Board.

3.  The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States and entered active duty on 16 September 1969.  Upon completion of initial entry training, he was awarded military occupational specialty 13A (Field Artillery Basic). 

4.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows the following:

   a.  he served in Vietnam from 14 February 1970 through 18 April 1971 and during that period of service he was assigned to Battery B, 7th Battalion, 15th Field Artillery Regiment;
    
   b.  no indication that he completed the Airborne Course while serving on active duty; and
   
   c.  no indication that he was awarded either the ARCOM or the Parachutist Badge.
    
5.  On 19 April 1971, the applicant He was honorably released from active duty and transferred to U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training).  His DD Form 214, as amended by a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), dated 17 November 2014, shows he was awarded or authorized:

* National Defense Service Medal
* Army Good Conduct Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
* 1 Overseas Service Bar

6.  His record does not contain documentation that shows he completed parachute training or was awarded the Parachutist Badge while on active duty.

7.  His record does not contain orders that show he was awarded either the ARCOM or the Parachutist Badge.

8.  The applicant provides a citation and a certificate which indicate he was awarded the ARCOM for meritorious service in Vietnam from 14 February 1970 through 19 April 1971.  

9.  The applicant provides a diploma which shows he successfully completed the Airborne Course on 28 October 1976.  He also provides two DA Forms 1307 which document his execution of eleven parachute jumps during the period 26 October 1976 through 2 June 1979.

10.  The applicant provides an NGB Form 22 that shows he served in the West Virginia Army National Guard (WVARNG) from 9 March 1976 until he was honorably discharged on 4 March 1980.  This document also shows he was awarded the Parachutist Badge.

11.  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 Military Awards Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command failed to reveal any orders for the ARCOM pertaining to the applicant.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the ARCOM may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required (emphasis added).

13.  Army Regulation 635-5, in effect at the time, 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 the preparation of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part, it stated the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty.  It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement or discharge.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contention that his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show he was awarded the ARCOM and Parachutist Badge were carefully considered.

2.  Although the applicant provides a citation and certificate which indicate he was awarded the ARCOM, both his record and ADCARS are void of official orders that awarded him the ARCOM.  Without an official source document such as the award orders to verify his entitlement to the ARCOM, there is insufficient evidence to include this award on his DD Form 214.

3.  Evidence clearly shows the applicant did not complete the Airborne Course until 28 October 1976 while serving in the WVARNG.  Therefore, he did not complete the requisite training for award of the Parachutist Badge during the period of active duty service covered by his DD Form 214 and there is no basis for amending his DD Form 214 to show award of this badge. 

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 AR20140002575, dated 8 October 2014.



      ___________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)                                         AR20150001882





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20150001882



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