ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  11 June 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170007607


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show authorized awards or decorations.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge)
* Veteran Benefit Administration (VBA) phone number with claims number

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 military occupational specialty 61B (Watercraft Operator) is for watercraft operator.  He has a ribbon for Aircraft Crewman Operator.  He states he was never assigned to an aircraft.

3.  The applicant’s service records shows:

	a.  He was inducted the Regular Army (RA) on 19 September 1967.  He served in Vietnam for one year, however his specific dates cannot be verified.

	b.  He was honorably released from active duty on 4 May 1969.  His DD 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows he completed 1 year 7 months and 6 days of active federal service.  He was awarded or authorized:

* National Defense Service Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Vietnam Campaign Medal
* Aircraft Crewman Badge
4.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) Table 3-1 has no listing for a Watercraft Crewman Badge.  It is not an Army award.  The U.S. Navy has a similar badge called the Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewman Badge awarded by the U.S. Navy.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined relief was not warranted.  The Board found that the applicant’s requested relief was not clear.  The Board could not determine what relief the applicant was seeking in reference to his MOS and the badge he mentioned.  The Board recommended that if the applicant is still seeking relief that he resubmit his request with a more clear request as to what relief he is seeking.

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

X	X	X	DENY APPLICATION


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.
	 
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) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards.  Table 3-1 U.S Military Decorations are listed in order of precedence.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170007607


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