ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 17 September 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160018615 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show all his awards and decorations. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * General Orders (GO) Number 254, Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device * 1st endorsement, Headquarters, 1st Signal Brigade (U.S. Strategic Command), dated 9 April 1968 * 2nd endorsement, Headquarters, 160th Signal Group, dated 14 April 1968 * 3rd endorsement, Headquarters, 69th Signal Battalion (Army), dated 23 April 1968 * Letter, Secretary of the Army, dated 12 July 1968 * DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant requests to add the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device to his DD Form 214 is supported by sufficient evidence (General Orders). This award will be administratively corrected without action by the Board. 3. The applicant states he was discharged before the award ceremony. He wants to update his DD Form 214 to reflect awards. He provides: a. A letter of Commendation for the 69th Signal Battalion for their support to the 377th Security Squadron, U.S. Air Force, during the critical period of the Tet Offensive against the Tan Son Nhut Air Base, on 31 January – 5 February 1968. a. b. Three endorsements referencing the letter of Commendation. c. A letter, dated 12 July 1968, from a captain, identified as Adjutant, to the applicant at his home address in Pennsylvania, that reads "By direction of the Secretary of the Army, the Army Commendation Medal has been awarded to you. The Commanding Officer, Colonel X. and his staff with to extend their congratulations to you." No orders accompanied this letter. 4. Review of the applicant's service records shows: a. He was inducted in the Army of the United States on 1 April 1966. He held military occupational specialty 52B (Power Plant Operator/Mechanic). b. He served in Vietnam for 11 months and 28 days, from 26 February 1967 to on or about 21 February 1968. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 69th Signal Battalion. c. GO Number 254, issued by Headquarters, 1st Signal Brigade, on 6 April 1968 awarded him the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device for heroism on 31 January 1968 in Vietnam. d. He was honorably released from active duty on 24 February 1968. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 1 year, 10 months, and 28 days of active service. It also shows he was awarded or authorized: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Good Conduct Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal * Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar e. On 24 February 2009, the applicant was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) that added the: * Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * overseas service bar f. His records do not contain orders awarding him the Army Commendation Medal 5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. As with all personal 1. decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined relief was warranted. Board members believed the applicant was awarded the BSM with V device for heroic action. He also appears to have received the ARCOM for service. The Board believe he was awarded the ARCOM but possibly the orders were lost or misplaced. The letter, dated 12 July 1968, is dated shortly after his service in Vietnam and reasonably support adding the ARCOM to his DD Form 214. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 X X X GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION 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 amending his DD Form 214 by adding * Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device * Army Commendation Medal 9/24/2019 X CHAIRPERSON Signed by: 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. REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three 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 three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. The Army Commendation Medal may be made for acts of valor performed under circumstances described above which are of lesser degree than required for award of the Bronze Star Medal. These acts may involve aerial flight.