BOARD DATE: 31 July 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160017100 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: 31 July 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160017100 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: 31 July 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160017100 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 award of the Vietnam Service Medal. 2. The applicant states she was a communications security specialist offering direct support of operations in Vietnam. 3. The applicant provides: * DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) * page 3 of her DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record * Certificate of Achievement 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 served on active duty from 24 May 1972 through 23 May 1975 in military occupational specialty 05G (Signal Security Specialist). 3. The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows she was assigned to duty with the U.S. Army Security Agency Field Station, Sobe, Okinawa, from 11 March 1973 through 28 August 1974. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States serving in Vietnam and contiguous waters or airspace after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. a. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia during the same period and serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam are also eligible for this award. b. To qualify for award of the VSM an individual must meet one of the following qualifications: (1) Be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations. (2) Be attached to or regularly serve for 1 or more days abroad a naval vessel directly supporting military operations. (3) Actually participate as a crewmember in one or more aerial flights into airspace above Vietnam and contiguous waters directly supporting military operations. (4) Serve on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in Vietnam or contiguous areas, except that time limit may be waived for personnel participating in actual combat operations. DISCUSSION: The applicant was assigned to duty in Okinawa, which is not a geographical area included in the eligibility criteria for award of the Vietnam Service Medal. The available records do not show the applicant met the criteria for award of the Vietnam Service Medal based on direct support of operations in Vietnam. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160017100 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160017100 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2