BOARD DATE: 5 December 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004655 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: 5 December 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004655 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. issuing a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) to add to item 13 of his DD Form 214 the "Korea Defense Service Medal" and b. authorizing the issuance of the following awards and decorations – * Korea Defense Service Medal * Overseas Service Ribbon * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar * Army Lapel Button ______________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: 5 December 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160004655 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 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show all of his authorized awards. 2. The applicant states that he requested his military awards and decorations from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC). NPRC authorized and issued him some medals that are not listed on his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides a copy of the packaging list that was included with the shipment of his medals. 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 (RA) on 29 August 1985 for a period of 4 years. a. He was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 63B (Light Wheel Vehicle Mechanic). b. He was promoted to private first class (PFC)/E-3 on 1 July 1986. c. He reenlisted in the RA on 1 April 1989 for a period of 3 years. 3. His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows in – * item 5 (Oversea Service): Korea from 11 May 1988 through 10 May 1989 (Normal Tour Completed) * item 9 (Awards, Decorations and Campaigns) – * Army Commendation Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award, 28 August 1988) * Army Achievement Medal * Oversea Service Ribbon * Driver and Mechanic Badge * Army Service Ribbon * National Defense Service Medal * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle (M-16) Bar * item 17 (Civilian Education and Military Schools), in pertinent part, he completed the Light Vehicle Mechanic (MOS 63B) course in 1986 4. A review of the applicant's military personnel records revealed permanent orders (PO) that awarded the applicant the following awards: * Headquarters, 7th Infantry Division (Light), Fort Ord, CA, PO 38-78, dated 26 February 1987 – the Army Achievement Medal for meritorious achievement from 2 February 1987 to 6 February 1987 * Headquarters, I Corps, Fort Lewis, WA, PO 43-5, dated 3 March 1988 – the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service from 10 February 1986 to 10 April 1988 * Headquarters, 509th Personnel Service Company (Korea), PO 0006-002, dated 7 February 1989 – the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity from 29 August 1985 to 28 August 1988 * Headquarters, 9th Personnel Service Company, Fort Lewis, WA, PO 82-72, dated 27 April 1990 – the Driver and Mechanic Badge (Mechanic) for attainment of a high degree of skill in the operation and maintenance of motor vehicles from 14 March 1989 to 14 March 1990 5. The applicant's DD Form 214 shows he entered active duty this period on 29 August 1985, was released from active duty on 17 December 1991, and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Reinforcement) to complete his Reserve service obligation. He completed 6 years, 3 months, and 19 days of total active service this period that included 1 year of foreign service. It also shows in item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), in order of precedence, the – * Army Commendation Medal * Army Achievement Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon * Driver and Mechanic Badge with Mechanic Bar * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle (M-16) Bar * Army Lapel Button 6. A review of the applicant's military personnel records failed to reveal orders or evidence that he was awarded any other individual awards or decorations. 7. NPRC, St. Louis, MO, letter, dated 6 March 2013, shows the applicant was notified that based on documents he provided and/or official documents available, NPRC authorized shipment of the following awards – * Army Commendation Medal * Army Achievement Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Oversea Service Ribbon with Numeral 1 * Driver and Mechanic Badge with Mechanic Bar * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar * Lapel Button for Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel 8. In support of his request the applicant provides a copy of a packaging slip from The Army Contracting Command, Integrated Logistics Support Center, Clothing and Heraldry Product Support Integration Directorate, Philadelphia, PA. It shows the awards and decorations that were authorized for issuance by NPRC on 6 March 2013 were issued to the applicant. It also shows, he was instructed to contact NPRC concerning additional awards other than those listed. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning military awards and decorations. a. The Overseas Service Ribbon is awarded for successful completion of overseas tours. Numerals are used to denote the second and subsequent awards of the Overseas Service Ribbon. b. The Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea. The period of eligibility is 28 July 1954 to a date to be determined by the Secretary of Defense. c. Chapter 6 (Appurtenances, Lapel Buttons, and Miniature Decorations) shows lapel buttons are miniature replicas of military decorations; service medals and ribbons; and identification badges. Lapel buttons are worn only on civilian clothing. The buttons will be worn on the left lapel of civilian clothing for male personnel and in a similar location for female personnel. Section III (Lapel Buttons) shows in: (1) paragraph 6-17 (Lapel buttons for service), subparagraph d, the Army Lapel Button is a gratuitous issue item made up of a gold-colored Minute Man on a red enamel disk surrounded by 16 pointed gold rays. The eligibility requirements include Soldiers transitioning with an honorable characterization of service (i.e., those being transferred to another component for completion of a military service obligation and those receiving an Honorable Discharge Certificate); and (2) paragraph 6-19, the Lapel Button, Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel, is provided to widows and widowers, parents, and primary next of kin of armed service members who lost their lives while serving on active duty or while assigned in USAR or Army National Guard units in a drill status. d. Chapter 8 (Badges and Tabs, U.S. Origin) governs award of U.S. badges and tabs. (1) The Driver and Mechanic Badge is awarded to drivers, mechanics, and special equipment operators to denote the attainment of a high degree of skill in the operation and maintenance of motor vehicles. An appropriate component bar is authorized to denote each different type of vehicle and/or qualification with which the individual has qualified. The Mechanic component bar is authorized for automotive or allied vehicles. (2) The Marksmanship Qualification Badge is awarded to indicate the degree (e.g., Expert, Sharpshooter, Marksman) in which an individual has qualified in a prescribed record course. An appropriate component bar is authorized to denote each different weapon with which the individual has qualified. Component bars are authorized for, in pertinent part, the Rifle and the Automatic Rifle. (Information available on the Internet shows the M-16 rifle is a 5.56 x 45 millimeter, gas-operated, rotating bolt (direct impingement), semi-automatic assault rifle.) DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant contends his military personnel records should be corrected to show all of his authorized awards and decorations. 2. The applicant was credited with completion of one (1) overseas service tour (Korea) and he qualified for award of the Overseas Service Ribbon. a. Numerals are used to denote the second and subsequent awards of the Overseas Service Ribbon. b. NPRC authorized the issuance of the Overseas Service Ribbon with Numeral 1; however, the "Numeral 1" is not an authorized appurtenance to be affixed to the Overseas Service Ribbon. 3. His service in Korea qualified him for award of the Korea Defense Service Medal; however, his records do not show the service medal. 4. The applicant qualified for and was authorized the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle (M-16) Bar. a. NPRC authorized the issuance of the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar. b. NPRC authorized the incorrect component bar (i.e., Automatic Rifle) and this error should be corrected (i.e., Rifle). 5. The applicant's honorable active duty service qualified him for the Army Lapel Button. a. NPRC authorized the issuance of the Lapel Button, Next of Kin of Deceased Personnel, which is provided to the next of kin of armed service members who lost their lives while serving on active duty. b. It is noted that NPRC responded to the applicant's (i.e., the former service member's) request for awards. c. Clearly, NPRC authorized the incorrect lapel button and this error should be corrected. 6. The applicant is advised that he may retain the incorrectly authorized medal set, qualification badge component bar, and lapel button; however, he is not authorized to wear or make claim that he is authorized the decorations. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160004655 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160004655 6 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2