BOARD DATE: 8 August 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160019122 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: 8 August 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160019122 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 a. deleting from his DD Form 214, ending 28 February 1975, the European- African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and Vietnam Service Medal; and b. adding the: * European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars * Korea Defense Service Medal * Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp * Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars * Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award) * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class 2. The Board further determined that 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 any relief in excess of that described above. ______________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: 8 August 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160019122 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, the daughter of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests, in effect, correction of her late father's records to show any authorized awards for his service in Korea during the Korean War. 2. She states that while putting together the FSM's military history she realized that he did not have a medal from the Korean War. During the period 6 July 1950 to 28 February 1953, he was assigned to the Far East Command (FECOM). 3. She provides: * DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), page 3 * photographs labeled "Camp Casey and Standing next to 38th Parallel Sign in Korea" * FSM's death certificate and photograph of his headstone * Executor designation, issued 6 February 2009 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 FSM's was inducted into the Army of the United States on 7 April 1943. He held several military occupational specialties (MOS's), which include 345 (Truck Driver Light), 131.60 (Armor Crewman), 63C (Track Vehicle Mechanic), and 63H (Engine and Power Train Repairman). 3. The FSM was discharged on 6 January 1946. His WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Discharge) shows: * his was assigned to the 3598th Quartermaster Truck company * he arrived in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations on 14 May 1944 and departed on 13 December 1945 * he was credited with participation in the Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns * he was awarded or authorized the: * American Theater Campaign Medal * European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze stars * Good Conduct Medal * World War II Victory Medal 4. A Statement of service shows that after a break in service, the FSM served on active duty from 3 May 1948 to 2 May 1954; however, his record is void of a discharge document for this period. 5. His record contains an affidavit, dated 5 September 1950, issued by the 590th Engineer Utilities Company, Okinawa, Ryukyus Command, which shows that the FSM reported the misconduct of another Soldier. 6. There are no documents in his record that show he was assigned to Korea during the period July 1950 through February 1953. 7. He completed a period of active duty from 3 May 1954 to 2 May 1960. His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for this period of service shows his last unit of assignment was Company B, 4th Tank Battalion, 37th Armor, U.S. Army Armor School. 8. During this period, he was awarded or authorized: * American Theater Campaign Medal * European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal * World War II Victory Medal * Army of Occupation Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Medal with Carbine Bar * Good Conduct Medal with three bronze loops * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Medal with Pistol Bar (.45) 9. The FSM completed a period of active duty from 3 May 1960 to 2 May 1966. His DD Form 214 for this period of service shows his last duty assignment was Company B, 4th Battalion, 68th Armor, Fort Stewart, GA. He was awarded or authorized Good Conduct Medal (5th Award). 10. He completed a period of active duty from 3 May 1966 to 22 May 1969. His DD Form 214 for this period shows his last duty assignment was with Company A, 76th Engineer Battalion, Korea. It further shows, he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal * Army Commendation Medal 11. The FSM reenlisted on 23 May 1969. His DA Form 20 shows he was assigned to the 56th Transportation Company (Aircraft Direct Support), Vietnam, as the motor sergeant. 12. Item 31 (Foreign Service) of his DA Form 20, dated 26 November 1973, shows he was assigned to the following overseas locations: * Germany, 3 May 1944 – 1 January 1946 * FECOM, 6 July 1950 – 28 February 1953 * Armed Forces Far East (AFFE), 1 September 1956 – 12 December 1957 * Germany, 29 November 1960 – 20 December 1962 * Germany, 13 May 1966 – 21 August 1968 * Korea, 1 October 1968 – 27 October 1969 * Republic of Vietnam, 4 December 1971 – 12 November 1972 13. After serving on active duty for over 29 years, he retired on 28 February 1975. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized: * Soldier's Medal * Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) * Good Conduct Medal (7 Awards) * American Theater Campaign Medal * European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal * World War II Victory Medal * National Defense Service Medal (2 Awards) * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal * Army Commendation Medal (2 Awards) * 5 Overseas Bars * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) 14. The applicant provides four black and white photographs which show: * the FSM kneeling next to a 38th parallel sign * two military bases * the FSM's headstone with an inscription that includes "World War II, Korea, and Vietnam" REFERENCES: 1. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) was published to assist commanders and personnel officers in determining or establishing the eligibility of individual members for campaign participation credit, assault landing credit, unit citation emblems, and occupation duty credit for World War II. This pamphlet shows the 3598th Quartermaster Truck Company, the FSM unit, during World War II, was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation by Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 47, dated 25 April 1945. 2. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows that while the applicant was assigned to the 577th Transportation Company, Vietnam, the unit was cited for award of the: * Meritorious Unit Commendation, by DAGO 32, dated 1973 * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class, by DAGO Number 32, dated 1973 3. Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states: a. A bronze service star is authorized for wear on the Vietnam Service Medal for participation in each Vietnam campaign. Appendix B shows that during his service in Vietnam, participation credit was awarded for the Consolidation I, Consolidation II, and Vietnam Cease-Fire campaigns. b. The Korean Service Medal is awarded for qualifying service in the theater of operations between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. c. 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. d. The Army of Occupation Medal is awarded for service of 30 consecutive days at a normal post of duty in a qualifying location. Personnel at a qualifying location as an inspector, courier, escort, temporary, or detached duty are precluded from eligibility. For award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp, qualifying service in Japan included service in the Japanese home islands, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Bonin-Volcano Islands between 3 September 1945 and 27 April 1952. 4. An internet search relating to the history of the FECOM found that it was a U. S. Military Command from 1947 until 1957, which was functionally organized to undertake the occupation of Japan. It was initially comprised of the 8th Army, XXIV Corps/U.S. Army Forces in Korea, and the Ryukyus, Philippines and Marianas-Bonins Commands. It was abolished, with functions transferred to the Pacific Command, effective 1 July 1957. DISCUSSION: 1. Although the applicant contends the FSM was assigned to FECOM-Korea during the period from 6 July 1950 through 28 February 1953, the available record shows the FSM was assigned to the FECOM-Japan. A general internet search of this command found that it was organized to undertake the occupation of Japan. Further confirmation of his location is the fact that during this same period he signed an affidavit which shows he was assigned to the 590th Engineer Utilities Company, Okinawa, Ryukyus Command. As such, the FSM does not meet the criteria for award of the Korea Service Medal. 2. However, the Army of Occupation Medal is awarded for 30 or more consecutive days of duty spent in one of the occupied territories after WWII. The FSM's period of service in FECOM-Japan meets the criteria for award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp. This award is not listed on his DD Form 214. 3. His unit during WWII, 3598th Quartermaster Truck Company, was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation by DAGO 47, dated 25 April 1945. This award is not listed on his DD Form 214. 4. Upon review of the applicant's record it was determined that the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 for the period 7 April 1943 through 6 January 1946 reflects his participation in the Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. Accordingly, his WD AGO 53-55 shows he was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 bronze service stars. However, his subsequent DD Forms 214 omitted these bronze campaign stars. 5. He served in Korea from 1 October 1968 to 27 October 1969, a period authorized the Korea Defense Service Medal. 6. His final DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and his record confirms he participated in three campaigns while serving in Vietnam. He is authorized three bronze service stars for wear on his previously- awarded Vietnam Service Medal. These campaign stars are not listed on his DD Form 214. 7. His unit in Vietnam was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class during his period of assignment. These unit awards are not listed on his DD Form 214. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160019122 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160019122 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2