IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 13 September 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013828 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: 13 September 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013828 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 amending his DD Form 214 by: * deleting from item 24 the Vietnam Service Medal and Marksmanship (M14, 16) * adding to item 24 the: * Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars * Parachutist Badge * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * adding to item 25 the Airborne Course, 3 weeks, June 1968 _____________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: 13 September 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150013828 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: * the Paratrooper Wings (properly known as the Parachutist Badge) * that he attended and successfully completed the Airborne Course 2. The applicant states he successfully completed the Airborne Course at Fort Benning, GA, but his DD Form 214 does not show the Parachutist Badge or that he graduated from the course. He has the diploma but it was never entered on his DD Form 214 when he returned to Fort Bragg, NC, from Fort Benning. 3. The applicant provides a diploma. 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 18 August 1966. He provides a diploma, dated 15 June 1968, that shows he successfully completed the Airborne Course given at Fort Benning, GA. 3. He served in Vietnam while assigned as follows: * 19 July to 28 October 1968, 587th Signal Company * 29 October 1968 to 18 July 1969, 52nd Signal Battalion 4. He was honorably released from active duty on 19 July 1969 and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve. 5. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the DD Form 214 he was issued shows the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * 2 overseas service bars * Marksmanship (M14, 16) 6. Item 25 (Education and Training Completed) of his DD Form 214 does not contain an entry that shows he competed the Airborne Course. 7. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in: * item 28 (Specialized Training) - he completed 3 weeks of Airborne training on 14 June 1968 * item 38 (Record of Assignments) - he was assigned on 23 May 1968 to the 4th Student Battalion (Airborne), Fort Benning, for Airborne training * item 41 (Awards and Decorations) - the Parachutist Badge, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14), and Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. A bronze service star is authorized with this award for each Vietnam campaign a member is credited with participating in. A review of the applicant’s record shows that during his service in Vietnam he participated in four campaigns. 2. Department of the Army (DA) Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the 587th Signal Company was cited for award of the: * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 30 April 1967 through 31 August 1968, by DA General Orders (DAGO) Number 17, dated 1968 * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for the period 30 April 1967 through 21 January 1970, by DAGO Number 51, dated 1971 3. AR 635-5 (Separation Documents), then in effect, stated in item 25 of the DD Form 214 list formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214 by title, length in weeks, and month and year completed. DISCUSSION: 1. The evidence of record confirms the applicant was awarded the Parachutist Badge, Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14), and Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16). However, his DD Form 214 does not show the Parachutist Badge and incorrectly lists his qualification badges as Marksmanship (M14, 16). 2. His record confirms he attended and successfully completed the 3 week Airborne Course in June 1968; however, this is not shown on his DD Form 214. 3. He participated in four campaigns during his service in Vietnam and is authorized four bronze service stars for wear on his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal. 4. GO awarded his unit in Vietnam the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and Republic of Vietnam Honors Medal First Class Unit Citation during his period of assignment to the unit; however, neither medal is shown on his DD Form 214. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150013828 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150013828 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2