ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 3 June 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170004944 APPLICANT REQUESTS: * Correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to add missing awards and decorations * Correction of his Social Security Number (SSN) on the Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal (2d Award), and the Air Medal (3d Award) APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 General Orders Number 954 (Air Medal for Heroism-2nd Award), dated 17 March 1971 * General Orders Number 1604 (Air Medal for Heroism with “V” Device-3rd Award), 11 May 1971 * Citation, United States Army Vietnam (Bronze Star Medal) * Citation, Air Medal 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 he was awarded 3 awards of the Air Medal and the Bronze Star Medal. Two of his Air Medals for heroism and the Bronze Star are not recorded on his DD Form 214. He also states two of the Air Medals and the Bronze Star Medal, all have the incorrect SSN. 3. The applicant’s service records show: a. He was inducted into the Regular Army on 22 July 1969. His DD Form 47 (Record of Induction) listed his SSN as "XXX-XX-XXXX." b. He completed advanced individual training on 12 February 1970. He was awarded military occupational specialty 67N (UH-1 Helicopter Repairman). c. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification record) which was created upon his entry on active duty listed his SSN as " XXX-XX-XXXX." d. He served in Vietnam from 22 March 1970 to 26 Feb 1971 with the 68th Medical Detachment, Vietnam. e. Headquarters, U.S. Army Medical Command, Vietnam, published General Orders (GO) Number 1913, on 19 October 1970, awarding the applicant the Air Medal for achievement from 2 July to 13 July 1970. The GO listed his SSN as " XXX-XX-XXXX." f. Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, published GO Number 954, on 17 March 1971, awarding the applicant the Air Medal with V Device for heroism on 18 May 1970. The GO listed his SSN as " XXX-XX-XXXX " g. Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam published GO Number 1694, on 11 May 1977, awarding the applicant the Air Medal with V Device for heroism on 16 November 1970. The GO listed his SSN as " XXX-XX-XXXX " h. Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, published GO Number 1084, on 1 April 1971, awarding the applicant the Bronze Star Medal for service. The GO listed his SSN as " XXX-XX-XXXX." i. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) show she received excellent conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his military service. j. He was honorably relieved from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserves on 26 February 1971. His DD Form 214 shows his SSN as " XXX-XX-XXXX." He completed 1 year, 7 months and 4 days. It also shows he was awarded or authorized: * Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze stars * Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60-device * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * 2 overseas service bars 4. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citations and Campaign Participation Credit Register) assist commanders and personnel officers in determining or establishing the eligibility of individual members for campaign participation credit, assault landing credit, and unit citation badges awarded during the Vietnam Conflict. 5. DAGO Number 8, dated 1974, announced award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm for service in Vietnam to: * Headquarters, United States Military Assistance Command and its subordinate units during the period 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973 * Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam and its subordinate units during the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973 6. By regulation, AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards), a bronze service star is worn on the appropriate service ribbon, to include the Vietnam Service Medal, for each credited campaign. A silver service star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency, and fidelity. This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of active Federal military service. He meets the criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) in that: * He completed 1 year, 7 months, and 4 days of continuous active service * He received excellent conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his military service * There is no record a court-martial conviction in his service record BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that relief was warranted. Based upon the documentary evidence presented by the applicant and found within the military service record, the Board determined that the errors existed within the applicant service record that warranted making a change. As such, the Board recommended that all sought relief and those outlined below in the administrative notes by the analyst of record be corrected. 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: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 by * Deleting the VSM (Vietnam Service Medal and AM (Air Medal) * Adding: * Air Medal (3rd Award) and V Device * Bronze Star Medal * Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation 2. Additionally, the Board determined the evidence presented also was sufficient to show that the applicant’s was issued multiple awards with an incorrect SSN. As a result, the Board recommended amending his General Orders (GO) issued by Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, to show his SSN as reflected on his Record of Induction and on his DD Form 214: * GO Number 954, on 17 March 1971 * GO Number 1694, on 11 May 1977 * GO Number 1084, on 1 April 1971 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): 1. A review of the applicant’s records shows he was issued multiple awards with an incorrect SSN. As a result, amend his General Orders (GO) issued by Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, to show his SSN as reflected on his Record of Induction and on his DD Form 214: * GO Number 954, on 17 March 1971 * GO Number 1694, on 11 May 1977 * GO Number 1084, on 1 April 1971 2. 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 as follows: * Delete the VSM (Vietnam Service Medal and AM (Air Medal) * Add the : * Air Medal (3rd Award) and V Device * Bronze Star Medal * Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation 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) provides for award of the Air Medal. It is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service while participating in aerial flight. This award is primarily intended for personnel on flying status, but may also be awarded to those personnel whose combat duties require them to fly, for example personnel in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 3. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register), published to assist commanders and personnel officers in determining or establishing the eligibility of individual members for campaign participation credit, assault landing credit, and unit citation badges awarded during the Vietnam Conflict, the Grenada Operation, and the period of service subsequent to the Vietnam Conflict up to September 1987. Department of the Army General Orders 8, 1974, announced award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm for service in Vietnam to the Headquarters, United States Military Assistance Command and its subordinate units during the period 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973; and Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam and its subordinate units during the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170004944 5 1