BOARD DATE: 7 September 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160002444 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ____x____ ___x_____ ____x____ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 7 September 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160002444 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial 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, ending 14 December 1967, as follows: a. Delete the Vietnam Service Medal. b. Add the following awards: * Army Commendation Medal (1st Award) * Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) * Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars * Meritorious Unit Commendation * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * two overseas service bars 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to the following: * Air Assault Badge * Presidential Unit Citation based on Order Numbers 9396 and 9075 * unspecified unit citation for the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division * Vietnam Service Order Number 48 * Vietnam Service Number 11231 * Senior Parachutist Badge * Infantry blue cord * French Fourragere shoulder cord * Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machine Gun Bar (M-60) * Code of Conduct Ribbon * Vietnam National Defense * 50-Year Vietnam Ribbon * adding USAR time to his DD Form 214 _____________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: September 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160002444 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, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show all authorized awards. 2. The applicant states he wants to add ribbons not currently reflected on his DD Form 214 for the period ending 14 December 1967. He further stated he had done research showing he was authorized additional awards. He would like to have these awards added to his DD Form 214 so he can put them on his honor guard uniform that he wears for funerals. He does not want to wear awards or decorations for which he does not have authorization. a. He believes the following awards should be added to his DD Form 214: * Air Assault Badge, authorized by General Order (GO) Number 179 (apparently citing the February 1974 101st Airborne Division GO authorizing the wear of the Airmobile Badge) * Presidential Unit Citation based on Order Numbers 9396 and 9075 (which appears to be describing the same numbered Executive Orders that authorized the award of Presidential Unit Citations) * unspecified unit citation for the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne Division * Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period 1966 to 1968 * Vietnam Service, "OR. # 48" (apparently referencing Department of the Army GO (DAGO) Number 48, dated 1971) * Vietnam Service, "# 11231" (this appears to reference Executive Order Number 11231, dated 8 July 1965, that authorized the Vietnam Service Medal) * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Army Commendation Medal, GO Number 1019, dated 8 June 1967 * Parachutist Badge, awarded 5 May 1966 at Fort Benning, GA * blue infantry cord * Combat Infantryman Badge for service in Vietnam * "French Aiguilette cord" (sic, French Fourragere shoulder cord) * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machine Gun Bar (M-60) * Code of Conduct Ribbon, "#345" (possibly referring to GO Number 345, dated 14 December 1967, that awarded him the Army Good Conduct Medal) * Vietnam National Defense * 50-year Vietnam Ribbon * Cold War Ribbon (sic, Cold War Recognition Certificate) * "ATP (Army Training Program) 21-114 (the training program number for basic combat training), February 23 1966" b. In addition, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve located in Michigan, and completed basic combat training and advanced individual training at Fort Gordon, GA. The applicant added the following dates, without any clear association to a particular event: 6 May 1966, 27 May 1966, and "23 1 February 1966." c. While he was at Fort Bragg, NC, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Infantry Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division. While he is not sure, he understands successful completion of 25 jumps qualified a Soldier for a star on the parachutist badge. He contends, in effect, he may be qualified for this award because all that he and his fellow Soldiers did while at Fort Bragg was to execute airborne jumps, although they never kept track. 3. The applicant provides: * DD Form 214, ending 14 December 1967 * extract of DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) * GO Number 1019, dated 8 June 1967 * Special Orders (SO) Number 69, dated 13 December 1967 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 has requested, in effect, the award of the Cold War Recognition Certificate. a. The current version of Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) is not the governing regulation for the Cold War Recognition Certificate. As such, there is no requirement to list this certificate on a discharge document. b. The Secretary of Defense approved the award of the Cold War Recognition Certificate for all members of the Armed Forces, and qualified Federal government civilian personnel, who faithfully and honorably served the United States anytime during the Cold War era, defined as being 2 September 1945 to 26 December 1991. c. The applicant may submit a written request to Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Cold War Recognition, ATTN: AHRC-CWRS, 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122. Based on the foregoing, the applicant’s request for the Cold War Recognition Certificate will not be discussed any further in this Record of Proceedings. 3. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 15 December 1965. He held military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman). 4. He served in Vietnam from on or about 23 June 1966 to 20 July 1967. While in Vietnam he was assigned to two units: * Company C, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 502nd Infantry Regiment, from on or about 30 June 1966 to on or about 26 April 1967 * Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 502nd Infantry Regiment from on or about 27 April 1966 to on or about 20 June 1967 5. On his return to the continental United States, he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, stationed at Fort Bragg. 6. His available service record includes the following documents: a. DA Form 20: (1) Item 28 (Specialized Training) shows ATP 21-114, completed 23 February 1966; Code of Conduct, completed 26 January 1966; and Basic Airborne, 3 weeks, completed 27 May 1966. (2) Item 29 (Qualification in Arms) reflects qualification for the M-14 (Marksman) and lists scores for both the M-16 and M-60. While scores are noted, the entries do not indicate the applicant qualified on the latter two weapons, nor have dates or levels of qualification been included. (3) Item 38 (Record of Assignments) shows he began basic airborne training on 6 May 1966. (4) Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) shows: * two overseas service bars * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) b. GO Number 1019, dated 8 June 1967, issued by Headquarters, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, awarded him the Army Commendation Medal for the period 23 June 1966 to 6 June 1967. c. GO Number 345, dated 14 December 1967, issued by Headquarters, 82nd Airborne Division, awarded him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for the period 15 December 1965 through 14 December 1967. d. His available service record is void of any awards orders and/or documentation supporting the following: * Air Assault Badge * Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machine Gun Bar (M-60) * DA Form 1307 (Individual Jump Record) 7. He was honorably released from active duty on 14 December 1967. His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows he completed 2 years of net active service. a. He was awarded or authorized the following: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Combat Infantryman Badge * Parachutist Badge b. Item 25 (Education and Training Completed) shows Basic Combat Training, Code of Conduct, and Basic Airborne Training. 8. Letter Orders Number 12-1302926, dated 1 December 1971, issued by Office of the Adjutant General, U.S. Army Reserve Components Personnel and Administration Center, honorably discharged the applicant from the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), Standby Reserve, effective 14 December 1971 due to expiration of term of service. REFERENCES: 1. According to a web article titled, "Welcome to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), published on 20 August 2012 by the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Public Affairs Office, the commanding general, Major General SB, signed Division General Order Number 179 in February 1974. This order authorized the wear of a new Airmobile (later redesignated Air Assault) qualification badge. The award was subsequently established as an authorized Army award and, in December 1979, it was added to AR 672-5-1 (Military Awards), then in effect. AR 600-8-22 later superseded AR 672-5-1. 2. AR 600-8-22 currently prescribes policies and procedures for military awards. a. The regulation does not show the following to be authorized awards: * Code of Conduct Ribbon * Vietnam National Defense (Ribbon or Medal) * 50-Year Vietnam Ribbon b. The eligibility criteria for the award of the Air Assault Badge are: * satisfactory completion of an air assault training course as authorized by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command * completion of the standard Air Assault Course while assigned or attached to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) since 1 April 1974 c. A bronze service star will be awarded for wear on the Vietnam Service Medal for participation in each campaign. Recognized campaigns for Vietnam include: * Vietnam Counteroffensive (25 December 1965 to 30 June 1966) * Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase II (1 July 1966 to 31 May 1967) * Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase III (1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968) d. To be eligible for a Senior Parachutist Badge (indicated by a star above a parachute on the parachutist badge), an individual must have been rated excellent in character and efficiency and met the following criteria: * participated in a minimum of 30 jumps, which must include the following static line jumps: 15 jumps with combat equipment; 2 night jumps (one as a jumpmaster), and 2 mass tactical jumps * either graduated from the Jumpmaster Course of the Airborne Department of the Infantry School or the Jumpmaster School of a separate airborne battalion, infantry division, or separate infantry brigade * served on jump status with an airborne unit for a total of at least 24 months e. The French Fourragere is a green and red cord which may be awarded by the French government when a unit has been cited twice for the Croix de Guerre (a French military decoration first created in 1915 and consisting of a square cross with two crossed swords. The Croix de Guerre was awarded to individuals and/or units for feats of bravery during the course of the two World Wars). The award of the Fourragere was not automatic and only persons present at both actions were authorized its wear. 3. AR 670-1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia) governs the requirements for the wear of the uniform. a. Overseas Service Bar. (1) A bar is authorized for wear for each period of active Federal service as a member of the U.S. Army outside of the continental limits of the United States for the specific timeframes and areas of operation cited in AR 670-1 or appropriate Department of the Army message. (2) For Vietnam service, one overseas service bar was authorized for each period of 6 months active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service in Vietnam from 1 July 1958 to 28 March 1973. Both the month of arrival and the month of departure from Vietnam were counted as whole months for credit toward the overseas service bar. b. Shoulder Cord for infantry personnel. (1) The CG, U.S. Army Infantry Center authorizes the wear of the shoulder cord for infantry personnel who successfully complete appropriate training. (2) Enlisted Soldiers of the infantry are authorized to wear the shoulder cord when they hold an infantry primary military occupational specialty and have been awarded the combat infantryman badge. (3) It is worn when assigned to an infantry unit, when serving as an Army recruiter, or traveling to an infantry assignment. 4. DA Pamphlet (DA PAM) 670-1 (Guide to the Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia) states a unit award is given to an operating unit and is worn by member of that unit who participated in the cited action. 5. DA Pam 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam. a. The 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment earned the following unit awards: * Presidential Unit Citation – 18 and 19 September 1965, DAGO Number 20, 1967; 2 June to 20 June 1966, DAGO Number 59, 1968 * Valorous Unit Award – 17 January to 25 March 1966, DAGO Number 1, 1969 (amended in DAGO Number 17, 1968); 25 April to 25 May 1970, DAGO Number 48, 1971; 13 August to 30 August 1970, DAGO Number 50, 1971 * Meritorious Unit Commendation – 29 July 1965 to 1 October 1966, DAGO Number 1, 1969 (amended in DAGO Number 17, 1968) * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class – 18 March 1968 to 2 May 1970, DAGO Number 48, 1971 b. All units in Vietnam were awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation as confirmed by DAGO Number 8, dated 1974. 6. Executive Order Number 9075, dated 26 February 1942, authorized the Secretary of War to issue citations in the name of the President of the United States to Army units for outstanding performance in action. Executive Order Number 9396, dated 22 November 1943, superseded this Executive Order. Executive Order Number 10694, in turn, superseded Executive Order Number 9396. Whereas earlier versions included only the Army, Executive Order Number 10694 extended the issuance of Presidential Unit Citations to the Secretaries of the Navy and Air Force. 7. AR 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed policies and procedures for the DD Form 214. The regulation states the purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her active military service. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant served in Vietnam from on or about 23 June 1966 to 20 July 1967, and was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division from on or about 30 June 1966 to on or about 20 June 1967. Based on this service, he is eligible for the following individual and unit awards: a. Individual awards: (1) Vietnam Service Medal – although this award is already noted on his DD Form 214, his campaign participation is not reflected; he is eligible for three bronze service stars. (2) Overseas Service Bars – while considered part of a Soldier's uniform and not an award, overseas service bars were typically added to the DD Form 214 during his era of service. His service in Vietnam qualifies him for two overseas service bars. b. Unit awards: The 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment received multiple unit awards, but only one while the applicant was assigned: Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period 29 July 1965 to 1 October 1966. 2. Additionally, he received the following awards, not listed on his DD Form 214: * Army Commendation Medal (1st Award) * Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) 3. The applicant's research suggested the following awards for which he may be eligible: a. Air Assault Badge, authorized by GO Number 179 – initially called the Airmobile Badge, this award was not created until February 1974, well after the applicant was separated and its award is not retroactive. Additionally, he otherwise does not appear to meet the award criteria. b. Presidential Unit Citation based on Order Numbers 9396 and 9075 – assuming the Order Numbers refer to Executive Orders, these were Presidential authorizations for Army units to be given unit awards. Neither authorized a specific award for which the applicant was eligible. c. Vietnam Service Order Number 48 – this appears to refer to DAGO Number 48, dated 1971. The 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment was awarded one of its three Valorous Unit Awards on this order, along with a Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class. The applicant was not assigned when his unit received these awards and, thus, is not eligible. d. Vietnam Service Number 11231 – assuming this refers to Executive Order Number 11231, this order simply authorized the issuance of the Vietnam Service Medal. The applicant is eligible for this award and his DD Form 214 already shows it listed. e. Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) – already listed on his DD Form 214. f. Parachutist Badge – already on his DD Form 214. g. Infantry blue cord – this is a part of the uniform and is not governed by AR 600-8-22; as such, there is no requirement to list it on the DD Form 214. Nonetheless, it appears he is eligible because he held an infantry MOS and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. h. "French Aiguilette cord" (sic, French Fourragere shoulder cord) – the applicant was not eligible for this foreign decoration because there is no evidence he was in two actions for which his unit in Vietnam was awarded the Croix de Guerre. i. The regulation does not show the following to be authorized awards: * Code of Conduct Ribbon * Vietnam National Defense (Ribbon or Medal) * 50-year Vietnam Ribbon * ATP 21-114 j. He does not appear to meet the eligibility criteria for the award of a Marksmanship Qualification Badge for either the M-16 or the M-60. In addition, there is no evidence he met the criteria for the Senior Parachutist Badge. 4. The applicant notes he had some time in the USAR. Letter Orders Number 12-1302926, dated 1 December 1971 affirms his honorable service in the USAR. The DD Form 214 reflects only active service and, thus, his service in the USAR is not required to be shown. In addition, his DD Form 214 already reflects his completion of basic combat training as well as basic airborne training. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160002444 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160002444 5 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2