MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:            8 January 2002          
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001062266

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		Member	
	Mr. Terry L. Placek		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  In effect, that his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) be corrected to show unspecified Vietnam campaign ribbons.

APPLICANT STATES:  That he served in support of war effort and was assigned to the Defense Communications Agency in Japan from 1972 to 1974.  He states that he was assigned to an Air Force station in Japan during the war in a support assignment to the region.  He further states that he has tried to join the local Veterans of Foreign Wars where his father is a member.  He was told that he needed ribbons to become a regular member.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and a supplemental letter.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

The applicant entered active duty on 21 July 1972 for a period of two years.  He successfully completed basic and advanced individual training and was assigned to Japan from 11 January 1973 to 21 June 1974 as an administrative specialist.  The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 22 June 1974.  His DD Form 214 does not list any Vietnam campaign ribbons as authorized awards.

Headquarters, U.S. Armor Center and Fort Knox Special Orders Number 250, dated 5 December 1972, assigned the applicant to the Defense Communications Agency, Far East Command in Japan.

Item 27 (Remarks) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the entry “LAST COUNTRY OF OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENT:  JAPAN”.

There is no evidence available to the Board which shows the applicant served in Vietnam or that his unit was recognized for direct support of operations in Vietnam.

Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) provides instructions for the preparation of the DD Form 214.  It states, in pertinent part, that item 26 (Decorations and Awards) will be completed to show the decorations awarded or authorized during the period covered by the DD Form 214.  

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Vietnam Service Medal.  This medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973.  Qualifying service included attachment to or assignment for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.

Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam and units not in Vietnam providing support.
DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The Board noted that the applicant was assigned to the Defense Communications Agency in Japan from 1972 to 1974.  

2.  There is no evidence available to the Board which shows the applicant served in Vietnam.  

3.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) does not show that the Defense Communications Agency – Far East Command was recognized for service in direct support of operations in Vietnam.

4.  In the absence of evidence that the applicant served in Vietnam or that his unit was in direct support of operations in Vietnam, the applicant is not entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal or any other individual or unit recognition for such service.

5.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.

6.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

LLS_____  RWA_____  TLP_____  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001062266	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020108	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.