BOARD DATE: 3 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160001565 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: 3 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160001565 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 the Vietnam Service Medal from his DD Form 214, and b. adding the following awards to his DD Form 214: * Presidential Unit Citation * Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation __________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: 3 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160001565 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 the Presidential Unit Citation. 2.  The applicant states he was not awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for combat action on 2 December 1966 in Vietnam although he was assigned to Troop B, 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia at that time. 3.  The applicant provides a December 2015 calendar of events for the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia. 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 8 November 1965. 3.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows the following information: a.  Item 31 (Foreign Service) he served in Vietnam from 20 August 1966 to 25 August 1967. b.  Item 38 (Record of Assignments) he was assigned to Troop B, 1st Squadron, 1th Armored Cavalry Regiment during his tour in Vietnam. c. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) no entry for the Presidential Unit Citation. 4. The Army honorably released him from active duty on 2 November 1967 and transferred him to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training). The DD Form 214 issued to him for this period does not show the Presidential Unit Citation and among his awards it shows the Vietnam Service Medal. 5. He provided a December 2015 calendar of events for the 11th Armored Cavalry Veterans of Vietnam and Cambodia that includes the entry on 2 December, "1966: B Trp [Troop] engages VC [Viet Cong] south of Gia Ray resulting in 99 VC KIA [killed in action]. Awarded Presidential Unit Citation for this action." REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. A bronze service star is worn on the Vietnam Service Medal for each credited campaign. Appendix B shows that during his service in Vietnam, participation credit was awarded for the following two campaigns: * Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase II (1 July 1966 – 31 May 1967) * Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase III (1 June 1967 – 29 January 1968) 2. 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 Troop B, 1st Squadron, 1th Armored Cavalry Regiment was cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation for the period 21 November to 2 December 1966 by Department of the Army General Order (DAGO) Number 45, dated 1969. It also was cited for the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 7 September 1966 to 10 August 1968 by DAGO Number 60, dated 1969. DISCUSSION: 1. The evidence of record shows the applicant was assigned to Troop B, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment during his tour in Vietnam from 20 August 1966 to 25 August 1967. 2. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 supports the applicant’s contention that his unit received the Presidential Unit Citation during his period of service in Vietnam. In addition, his unit during his period of service was cited for the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. Accordingly, it would be appropriate to add these two unit awards to his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant's DD Form 214 currently reflects award of the Vietnam Service Medal; however, it does not reflect the authorized bronze service stars denoting his participation in two campaigns. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160001565 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160001565 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2