ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 1 October 2019 
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170004354

APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer or Discharge) reflect:

*	his Foreign Service (block 22c) Okinawa, Japan from 2 June 1964 to 4 October 
1964, Vietnam from 5 October 1964 to 14 July 1965 and Germany from 7 
September 1965 to 10 December 1967
*	add any missing awards

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:
DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) 
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 states, in effect, that he would like to have his DD Form 214 corrected 
to reflect his actual service from 31 December 1963 to 11 December 1967. It currently 
shows that he only was stationed in United States Army Europe (USAREUR). He was 
stationed at 51st Special Operations Command (SOC) in Okinawa from June 1964 to 
early August 1964. On 4 or 5 August 1964, he was sent temporary duty (TDY) to 
Detachment J 3rd Radio Research Units (RRU) at Phu Bai, Vietnam. He was supposed 
to return to Okinawa in November 1964 and received permanent change of station 
(PCS) orders to Vietnam. He remained in the 8th RRU until 4 July1965 departing 
Vietnam on 8 July 1965. He was reassigned to United States Army Security Agency 
Europe (USASAE) in Frankfurt, Germany on or about 5-6 September 1965.  In 
December 1966, he was sent to the 17th Field Station, Rothwesten, Germany. On
11 December 1967, he was separated from the Army at Fort Hamilton, NY. He would 
like his records to reflect that he served in Vietnam. He would like his records to be 
corrected because it does not reflect his actual service nor awards. It’s hard to prove 
anything since the St. Louis fire in 1973.



3.	A review of the applicant’s service record shows the following:

a.	He enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) on 31 December 1963.

b.	DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in: 
(1).  Block 31 (Foreign Service)
*	Okinawa, Japan from 2 June 1964 to 4 October 1964
*	Vietnam from 5 October 1964 to 14 July 1965
*	Germany from 7 September 1965 to 10 December 1967

(2) Block 41 (Awards and Decorations) Vietnam Service Medal, and Republic of 
Vietnam Campaign Medal

   c.	He was released from active duty on 11 December 1967. His DD Form 214 
shows that he was discharged with an honorable character of service. He completed 3 
years, 11 months, and 11 days of active service. Block 22c (Foreign Service) shows 3 
years 4 months and 16 day of Foreign Service in USAREUR (U.S. Army Europe). It 
also shows he was awarded or authorized:

*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Good Conduct Medal
*	Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge Pistol 45
*	Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M14)

   d.	No additional awards were found in ADCARS (Awards and Decorations 
Computer-Assisted Retrieval System or in his service record.

4.	Army Regulation (AR) 635-5 (Separation Documents) DD Form 215 (Correction to 
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).will be issued to 
provide missing information or to correct any information. Block 22b (Foreign Service) 
enter total active duty outside continental limits of the United States for the period 
covered by the DD Form 214 and the last oversea theater in which service was 
performed, e.g., "Foreign and/ or Sea Service (USAREUR)." Block 24 enter all 
decorations, service medals, campaign credits, and badges awarded or authorized, 
omitting authorities cited therein.



BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found partial 
relief was warranted. Based upon the documentary evidence provided by the applicant 
and found within the military service record, the Board noted that Block 22 of his DD 
Form 214 added all his foreign service together and then listed the last major command 
(Europe) as required by the governing regulation. However, the Board found no 
objection to listing his specific dates of service in Vietnam in the Remarks block.

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1
Mbr 2
Mbr 3

:
:
:
GRANT FULL RELIEF
X
X
X
GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
:
:
:
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
:
:
:
DENY APPLICATION



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 re-issuing 
the applicant's DD Form 214 for the period ending 11 December 1967 to show the entry 
"Service in Vietnam 5 October 1964 to 14 July 1965."

2.	Additionally, prior to closing the case, the Board noted the administrative notes 
below from the analyst of record and recommended those changes also be completed 
to more accurately depict his military service.

3.	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 adding his service in Germany or Okinawa to his DD 
Form 214.
9






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.


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

A review of the applicant’s records shows he is authorized awards and decorations not 
annotated on his DD Form 214.  As a result, amend his DD Form 214 by adding:

*	Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device (1960)
*	Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars
*	Meritorious Unit Commendation for 8th Radio Research Unit (Vietnam 
October 1964-July 1965)



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 (AR) 635-8 (Separation Documents) DD Form 215 (Correction to 
DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).will be issued to 
provide missing information or to correct any information. Block 13: (Decorations, 
Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) list all 
federally recognized awards and decorations for all periods of service. Do not use 
abbreviations. Do not enter foreign or State level awards on DD Form 214. State 
awards and decorations will be entered on NGB Form 22 (National Guard Report of 
Separation and Record of Service) upon separation from the ARNGUS. Block 18 
(Remarks) will be utilized to address incomplete item and state “DD Form 215 
(Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) will 
be issued to provide missing information.” DD Form 215 will be issued when the 
missing information becomes available.