BOARD DATE:	  8 September 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110004156 


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 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to show award of the National Defense Service Medal.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, he served a qualifying period of service for this award. 

3.  The applicant provides his 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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 16 March 1964 and held military occupational specialty 72B (Communications Center Specialist).  He served in Okinawa from 18 September 1964 to 5 March 1966.  

3.  He was honorably released from active duty on 6 March 1966 and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training) to complete his remaining service obligation.

4.  Item 26 (Decorations, Medals Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows the:

* Good Conduct Medal
* Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-1)
* Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14)
* Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar

5.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 and 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974, 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995, and 11 September 2001 and to a date to be determined. 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

The National Defense Service Medal is authorized from 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974.  He served a qualifying period of service and should be entitled to this award and correction of his DD Form 214 to show it. 

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 a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding to item 26 of his DD Form 214 the National Defense Service Medal.



      _______ _   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)                                         AR20110004156



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110004156



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