BOARD DATE: 25 July 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160001676 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING _____x___ ____x____ ____x____ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 25 July 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160001676 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. ______________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: 25 July 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160001676 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 Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960). 2. The applicant states his (last) duty station was with the U.S. Army Medical Center, Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ, and no application was made for his service in Thailand relative to the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960). His DD Form 214 shows that service, but the medal is not shown. Four of them departed Andrews Air Force Base with 120 nitrogen filled tanks to retrofit button bomb canisters at Nakhon Phanom, Thailand. They landed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, then Yokota, Japan. Next, they traveled on to Saigon, Vietnam, to exchange flight crews and finally on to Nakhon Phanom. Their mission was successful in the battles for Khe Sanh with the button bomb's sounding providing information for direct fire from ground and air on the enemy. Any Airman serving in Thailand was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), so he does not understand why Army personnel would not be qualified to be awarded the same. He would like this correction so he can join the Veterans of Foreign Wars with full member status. The requirements clearly state that service in a Southeast Asia region supporting Vietnam operations qualifies for this award. 3. The applicant provides 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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 26 July 1967. 3. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows the following information: a. Item 31 (Foreign Service), he served in Thailand from 30 January 1968 to 12 June 1968. b. Item 8 (Record of Assignments), he was assigned to the U.S. Army Picatinny Arsenal, Dover, NJ from 13 October 1967 to 24 July 1969. He served in Thailand while assigned to this unit. 4. He was honorably released from active duty on 25 July 1969 and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training). 5. His DD Form 214 shows the following information: a. Item 22c (Foreign and/or Sea Service), he was credited with 4 months and 12 days of foreign service in Thailand. b. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign, Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), no entry for award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960). 6. His service record does not contain evidence that shows he served in direct support of operations in Vietnam. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) was awarded by the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973. Qualifying service included assignment in Vietnam for 6 months or more. Qualifying service outside the geographical limits of the Republic of Vietnam required the individual to provide direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces. "Direct support" is defined as services being supplied to participating forces in the area of eligibility by ground units, ships, and aircraft provided it involved actually entering the designated area of eligibility. This includes units, ships, and aircraft providing logistic, patrol, guard, reconnaissance, or other military support within the designated area of eligibility. DISCUSSION: The evidence of record shows he served a tour of duty in Thailand for 4 months. There is no evidence confirming he served in direct support of the Republic of Vietnam during his assignment in Thailand. In addition, he did not serve 6 months or more in Thailand, thus his service does not meet the regulatory requirements for award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960). //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160001676 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160001676 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2