BOARD DATE: 4 May 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150017160 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 BOARD DATE: 4 May 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150017160 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant amendment of the ABCMR’s decision in Docket Number AR20100018658, dated 1 February 2011. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding to his DD Form 214 the Army Commendation 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. BOARD DATE: 4 May 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150017160 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, in effect, reconsideration of his previous request for correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medal. 2. The applicant states his DD Form 214 does not list the awards that he earned. He is requesting this correction so he can reflect these awards on his grave marker. This is his second request. His first request was dated 2 July 2010. 3. The applicant provides two certificates for the Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medal and his DD Form 214. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABMCR) in Docket Number AR20100018658 on 1 February 2011. 2. The applicant provided a new request and argument requiring consideration by the Board. 3. He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 30 October 1969 and he held military occupation specialty 13A (Field Artillery Basic). He served in Vietnam from 10 May 1970 to 2 June 1971, during two campaigns. He was assigned to Battery C, 2nd Battalion, 11th Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). 4. He provided copies of two certificates issued on/for: a. 30 December 1970 – Awarding him the Army Commendation Medal for exceptionally meritorious achievement in support of the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam from 1 July to 30 November 1970. This certificate was signed by the then major general who became the division commander of the 101st Airborne Division, deploying with that unit to Vietnam as its commander in 1970. b. 2 April 1971 – Awarding him the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in Vietnam from June 1970 to April 1971. This certificate was signed by the then major general who commanded the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1971. 5. He was honorably released from active duty in pay grade E-5 on 4 June 1971. His DD Form 214 lists the: * National Defense Service Medal * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bars (M-14 and M-16) * Vietnam Service Medal 6. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) lists all the awards shown on his DD Form 214. 7. There were no orders found for the Army Commendation Medal in his official military personnel file. 8. On 1 February 2011, the ABCMR, in response to his 2011 request for correction of his DD Form 214 to list the Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medal, determined the following: a. His records did not contain orders awarding him the Bronze Star Medal or the Army Commendation Medal. b. A review of ADCARS, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, revealed General Orders Number 3149, dated 16 April 1971, awarding him the Bronze Star Medal for the period from June 1970 to April 1971. c. ADCARS failed to reveal any orders awarding him the Army Commendation Medal. d. Based on the Bronze Star Medal orders, that award should be added to his DD Form 214. e. To award him the Army Good Conduct Medal in view of his receipt of "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his period of service. Awarding him the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and two bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal and the addition of those awards to his DD Form 214. f. In the absence of orders awarding him the Army Commendation Medal, there was insufficient evidence upon which to support the requested relief by adding this award to his DD Form 214. 9. On 1 June 2011, the Board notified the applicant of its decision. He was provided copies of their Record of Proceedings, Bronze Star Medal orders, and a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) adding the aforementioned awards to his DD Form 214. The letter and the documents were mailed to the address he listed on his previous and current DD Forms 149, in Battle Lake, MN. REFERENCE: 1. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 2. An internet search of the 2nd Battalion, 11th Artillery, shows the unit arrived in Vietnam on 13 December 1966. In 1968, it was attached to the 101st Airborne Division. The 2nd Battalion, 11th Artillery, participated in thirteen Vietnam campaigns receiving a Valorous Unit Award for Quang Ngai Province and two awards of the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. In Vietnam, the 2nd Battalion, 11th Artillery, was required not only to fire as batteries, but also frequently as separate platoons or sections, often hundreds of miles apart. In 1971, the battalion was redesignated as 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery. On 13 September 1972, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery was assigned to the 25th Division and returned home from Vietnam in January 1972. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant provided a certificate for award of the Army Commendation Medal. However, his official military personnel file fails to show that orders were published awarding him the Army Commendation Medal. A review of ADCARS failed to reveal any orders awarding him this award. According to the applicable regulation, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required to be awarded the Army Commendation Medal. 2. The evidence of record shows: a. The applicant held MOS 13A and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division while in a deployed theater during an armed conflict. b. His unit in Vietnam, according to an internet search, the 2nd Battalion, 11th Artillery, as part of the 101st Airborne Division, was required not only to fire as batteries, but also frequently as separate platoons or sections, often hundreds of miles apart. c. It appears his level of performance was consistent throughout his period of service in Vietnam. d. Orders awarded him the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement while deployed in the armed conflict. e. The Army Commendation Medal certificate was signed by the proper authority. 3. The Board must determine if a preponderance of the evidence shows the applicant was, in fact, properly awarded the Army Commendation Medal and if it should be added to his DD Form 214. 4. His DD Form 214 has already been corrected to show the Bronze Star Medal. No further action is required with respect to this award. /NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150017160 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150017160 5 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2