BOARD DATE: 15 April 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130014624 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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Joint Service Commendation Medal. 2. The applicant states the Joint Service Commendation Medal was awarded in June/July 1968 at the National Security Agency after his discharge from military service. 3. The applicant provides: * National Security Agency Citation for Award of the Joint Service Commendation Medal * photograph with an annotation on the reverse * National Personnel Records Center letter, dated 3 September 2012 * 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 1 June 1964. He completed training as an Amharic-speaking linguist. 3. A review of his military records does not show any orders awarding him the Joint Service Commendation Medal. 4. On 31 May 1968, the applicant was honorably released from active duty at the expiration of his term of service. He completed 4 years of total active service. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * two overseas service bars * Army Good Conduct Medal * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) 5. On 28 August 2012, the National Archives and Records Administration amended the applicant's DD Form 214 by deleting award of the Vietnam Service Medal and adding award of the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. 6. A 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 U.S. Army Human Resources Command Military Awards Branch, failed to reveal any orders for award of the Joint Service Commendation Medal. 7. The applicant submitted a copy of a National Security Agency Citation for Award of the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He also submitted a copy of a photograph of four individuals. One of the individuals in the photograph is holding what appears to be a citation for an award; however, the type of award shown is not clear and the individuals are not identified. 8. The Joint Service Commendation Medal was authorized by the Secretary of Defense on 25 June 1963. It is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while assigned to a joint activity after 1 January 1963, distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's contentions have been noted and his supporting evidence has been considered. 2. As previously stated, the Joint Service Commendation Medal is awarded in the name of the Secretary of Defense to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who distinguished themselves by meritorious achievement or service while assigned to a joint activity after 1 January 1963. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 3. There are no orders in the applicant's records or in ADCARS and the applicant has not provided any orders showing he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. In the absence of the orders awarding him the Joint Service Commendation Medal, this award should not be added to his DD Form 214. 4. In view of the foregoing, the applicant's request should be denied. 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 the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. ___________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) AR20130014624 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130014624 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1