BOARD DATE: 2 October 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140003392 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 military records by showing he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM). 2. The applicant states he believes his not receiving the AGCM was an administrative oversight. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) 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. On 28 February 1966, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. He was trained as a communications center specialist. 3. On 24 August 1966, the applicant was placed on temporary duty (TDY) with the U.S. Army Security Agency with duty in Japan. 4. On 30 July 1967, the applicant was placed on TDY as a Department of Defense Special Representative, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. He returned to Japan on or about 1 September 1967. 5. On 6 February 1969, the applicant was assigned to Fort Meade, Maryland. 6. On 21 April 1969, the applicant was promoted to sergeant, pay grade E-5. 7. On 27 February 1970, the applicant was released from active duty due to the expiration of his term of service (ETS). He was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve. His DD Form 214 shows his awards as: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar 8. Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of the applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows that his conduct and efficiency ratings were “excellent.” The applicant’s records do not contain any evidence of disciplinary action. There is no evidence to show that the commander took any action to deny him the Army Good Conduct Medal. 9. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Awards), in effect at the time, provided that the AGCM was awarded to enlisted Soldiers who had completed a qualified period of active duty enlisted service. This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service. The enlisted person must have had all "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings and no convictions by a court-martial. 10. 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. Military Assistance Command and its subordinate units during the period 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973. Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam and its subordinate units were authorized this medal for the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant’s records clearly show that he distinguished himself in the performance of his military service as evidenced by his attaining the rank of sergeant and achieving "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings. Therefore, it is presumed that his not receiving an AGCM for his service was an oversight. Accordingly, he should be awarded this medal. 2. The applicant's unit was cited in general orders for award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. Therefore, his records should be corrected to show this foreign 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 a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 28 February 1966 to 27 February 1969; and b. showing, in addition to the awards already shown on his DD Form 214, that his awards include: * Army Good Conduct Medal * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation _______ _ 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) AR20140003392 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140003392 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1