IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 July 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150011926 BOARD VOTE: _____X____ ___X____ ____X____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 July 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150011926 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: USE THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH TO GRANT RELIEF. The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 the following to his DD Form 214: * Item 24c – USARPAC 00 11 12 * Item 26 - National Defense Service Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation * Item 32 – Thailand: 14 May 1962–25 April 1963 _____________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. IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 July 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150011926 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 his foreign service in Thailand. 2. He states he served in Thailand from 18 May 1962 through 25 April 1963. 3. He provides: * DD Form 214 * DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) * DA Form 24 (Service Record) * Standard Form (SF) 180 (Requests Pertaining to Military Records) * Memorandum, National Personnel Record Center, dated 6 May 2015 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 30 October 1961 and he held military occupational specialty 911.20 (medical specialist). 3. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in: a. Item 31 (Foreign Service) he served in Thailand from 14 May 1962 through 25 April 1963 (11 months and 12 days); and b. Item 38 (Record of Assignments) that following completion of advanced individual training he was assigned to Headquarters Company, 809th Engineer Battalion (Construction), in Thailand, as a medical specialist. 4. On 31 August 1964, he was honorably released from active duty. The DD Form 214 issued to him at the time of his discharge reflects the following information: a. Item 24c (Foreign and/or Sea Service) shows no overseas service. b. Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) shows he was awarded or authorized the following: * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-1) * Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) c. Item 32 (Remarks) does not show any foreign service. REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM) is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974. 2. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citations and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists unit awards. This pamphlet shows the 809th Engineer Battalion was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period February 1962-February 1966 in Department of the Army General Orders Number 22, dated 1966. 3. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), 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. It stated for item 24c, enter the total period of active duty served outside of the continental limits of the United States for the period covered by the DD Form 214 and to enter the last overseas theater (e.g., U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC)) in which the service was performed. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 to show his foreign service in Thailand. 2. He was assigned to Thailand from 14 May 1962 through 25 April 1963 and his foreign service is not shown on his DD Form 214 as required by regulatory guidance. 3. General orders show that during his service in Thailand, his unit was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation. 4. He served a qualifying period of service for award of the National Defense Service Medal. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150011926 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150011926 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2