BOARD DATE: 3 January 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110013443 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 National Defense Service Medal. 2. The applicant states, in effect, his military service meets the criteria for award of the National Defense Service Medal. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his 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's record shows he enlisted in the Regular Army on 24 May 1968. He completed the training requirements and he was awarded military occupational specialty 76Y (Supply Specialist). The applicant was released from active duty on 4 June 1971, and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) to complete his remaining Reserve obligation. He had completed 2 years, 11 months, and 29 days of creditable service, and he had 13 days of lost time. His DD Form 214 lists the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar as his only award. 3. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he was awarded or authorized to wear the National Defense Service Medal. 4. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 and 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974, 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995, and 11 September 2001 and a date to be determined. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The evidence shows the applicant completed a qualifying period of service for award of the National Defense Service Medal. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this service medal. 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 adding the National Defense Service Medal to item 24 of the applicant's DD Form 214 rendered for the period 24 May 1968 through 4 June 1971. _______ _ 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) AR20110013443 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110013443 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1