IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 January 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170011682 BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 :X :X :X GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 January 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170011682 APPLICANT'S REQUEST AND STATEMENT: 1. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), for the period ending 22 July 1968, to show awards and decorations he was awarded or is authorized. 2. The applicant states his DD Form 214 does not show all of the decorations and citations that should have been awarded to him. THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records with supporting document(s): * Privacy Act Release Form, dated 27 March 2017 * Correspondence to Congressional Representative, dated 29 March 2017 2. Evidence from the applicant’s service record and Department of the Army and Department of Defense records and systems: * DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) * Special Orders Number 117, issued by Headquarters, 4th Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, Fort Knox, KY on 3 July 1967 * DD Form 214, for the period ending 22 July 1968 REFERENCES: 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. 2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. This regulation provides that a bronze service star is authorized with the Vietnam Service Medal for each Vietnam campaign a member is credited with participating in. Appendix B of this regulation shows that during his service in Vietnam, he participated in the following four campaigns: * Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase III (1 June 1967 - 29 January 1968) * Tet Counteroffensive (30 January - 1 April 1968) * Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV (2 April - 30 June 1968) * Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase V (1 July - 1 November 1968) 3. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units that served in the Republic of Vietnam. This pamphlet shows that during the applicant's period of assignment to the 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment, the unit was cited in Department of the Army General Orders for the: * Valorous Unit Award, for service during the period 31 January through 5 February 1968, by Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 28, dated 1969 * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, for service during the period 7 September 1966 through 10 August 1968, by DAGO Number 60, dated 1969 DISCUSSION: 1. While 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 applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 2 August 1966. He entered active duty, completed his initial entry training, and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11E (Armor Crewman). 3. The applicant's DA Form 20 shows: a. He served in the Republic of Vietnam from on or about 29 August 1967 through on or about 21 July 1968. During this period of service, he participated in four separate campaigns. b. He served in A Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Calvary Regiment during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. He served in MOS 11D (Armor Reconnaissance Specialist). 4. The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 22 July 1968. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), and the Good Conduct Medal. 5. The applicant served in four campaigns during his service in the Republic of Vietnam. His DD Form 214 shows he was authorized the Vietnam Service Medal; however, it does not show the corresponding bronze service stars in recognition of his campaign participation. 6. Department of the Army General Orders awarded his unit of assignment the Valorous Unit Award and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, during the period in which the applicant was assigned. These unit awards are not shown on his DD Form 214. 7. Special Orders Number 117, issued by Headquarters, 4th Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, Fort Knox, KY on 3 July 1967, awarded the applicant the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar (.45 Caliber). This marksmanship badge is not shown on his DD Form 214. 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, for the period ending 22 July 1968, by deleting the Vietnam Service Medal and adding the: * Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars * Valorous Unit Award * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar (.45 Caliber) 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. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160005706 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170011682 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2