IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 26 October 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004062 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: 26 October 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004062 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 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: a. deleting Vietnam Service Medal from his DD Form 214; and b. adding the following awards to his DD Form 214: * Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machinegun Bar (M-60) _____________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: 26 October 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004062 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 all of the awards that he earned while he was in the Army. 2. The applicant states some of the medals that he earned are not listed on his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides no additional evidence. 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 14 June 1967. He completed training as a light weapons infantryman. 3. On 19 October 1967, Headquarters, Fort Polk Special Orders Number 271 was published showing that the applicant qualified for the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machinegun Bar (M-60). 4. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), shows he arrived in Vietnam on 27 February 1968 and he was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry Regiment on 13 March 1968 until he departed to the United States on 23 October 1968. He participated in three campaigns. 5. On 8 October 1968, Headquarters 101st Airborne Division General Orders Number 6922 was published awarding the applicant the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device for heroism in ground combat against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam on 29 April 1968. 6. He was released from active duty (REFRAD) on 6 July 1969 and he was transferred to the United States Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training). His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the following awards: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Vietnam Service Medal * Parachutist Badge * Combat Infantryman Badge 7. The DD Form 214 he received did not show he was authorized the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device and the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machinegun Bar (M-60). 8. On 27 December 1999, the applicant was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 6 July 1969 to add the award of the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device. REFERENCES: 1. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This pamphlet shows the unit to which the applicant was assigned was cited for: a. award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 19 July 1968 to 14 May 1969 by Department of the Army General Order (DAGO) Number 43, dated 1970; and b. award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for the period 18 March 1968 to 2 May 1970 by DAGO Number 48, dated 1971. 2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states a bronze service star is worn on the appropriate service ribbon, to include the Vietnam Service Medal, for each credited campaign. DISCUSSION: 1. Special Orders awarded the applicant the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machinegun Bar (M-60). His DD Form 214 does not reflect this badge. 2. His DD Form 214 reflects award of the Vietnam Service Medal. However, his record shows he participated in three campaigns during his service in Vietnam. His DD Form 214 does not reflect these bronze service stars. 3. General Orders awarded the applicant’s unit in Vietnam the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation during his period of assignment. His DD Form 214 does not reflect these awards. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160004062 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160004062 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2