ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:

	BOARD DATE:  10 June 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170012822


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show: 
* Bronze Star Medal
* Education from 2 years of college to 4 years of college

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* The Bronze Star Medal Certificate
* General Orders Number 1078 
* Honorable Discharge Certificate
* Redacted copy of Veterans Health Identification Card
* Installation Clearance Record
* DD Form 214 

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 his Bronze Star Medal is not listed on his DD Form 214.  He also states the DD Form 214 shows 2 years of college and it should 4 years of college. He states he is getting older, has a family and would like the corrections made.  He requests a change of his years of education on his DD Form 214 from 2 to 4 years.

3.  The applicant provided:

	a.  A Bronze Star Medal Certificate, dated 19 May 1969, for his service in Vietnam from 13 June 1968 to 28 April 1969 and General Orders Number 1078, dated 30 May 1969, awarding the applicant the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in connection with military operations in Vietnam.  
	b.  Honorable Discharge Certificate dated 1 June 1973.

	c.  A redacted copy of veteran’s health identification card, issued by the Coatesville veterans administration clinic.

	d.  Installation clearance record, indicating departure from Long Binh Post, Republic of Vietnam on 28 April 1969.

4.  The applicant’s record confirmed he is eligible for an award that is not recorded on his DD Form 214.  This award will be added to his DD Form 214 as an administrative correction and will not be considered by the Board.  The Board will consider the applicant's education upgrade.

5.  A review of the applicant’s Service records shows:  
   a.  He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 20 June 1967.  

	b.  A review of the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) item 32 (Civilian Education) shows the applicant attended temple university technical Institute, Philadelphia, PA and earned 90, semester hours for an associate degree, completed in 1966.  

   c.  He served in Vietnam from 13 June 1968 to 28 April 1969.  He was assigned to Headquarters Company, 1st Signal Brigade, U.S. Army Strategic Command. 

   d.  On 13 May 1969, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve.  He completed 1 year, 10 months, and 24 days of active Service.  His DD Form 214 shows in:

* Block 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges Commendations, Citations and campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) - National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Marksmanship Qualification Badge M-14 
* Block 30 (Remarks), shows 2 Years College 

6.  By AR 635-5 (Separation Documents), the DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty.  It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty Service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge.  Item 25 (Education and Training Completed).  Enlisted personnel, enter installation training courses (qualification courses), military correspondence courses, and off-duty courses the enlisted person has completed successfully during the period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared.  

7.  By regulation, Department of the Army Pamphlet, (DA PAM), 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register), is 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.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined that partial relief was warranted.  Based upon the documentary evidence provided by the applicant and found within the military service record, the Board found that the applicant was previously awarded a Bronze Star Medal which is not currently depicted on his DD Form 214.  Therefore, they recommended granting that portion of the request.

However, the Board found a lack of evidence available to show that he applicant completed 4 years of college.  Based upon the available evidence, the Board concluded that the education level currently depicted was accurate and that no error was present which warranted correction.

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 Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 by adding the Bronze Star Medal.
2.  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 changing the education level of the applicant on his DD Form 214.
3.  Prior to closing the case, the Board noted the administrative notes below by the analyst of record and recommended those changes also be completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant.
	 
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 an additional award not annotated on his DD Form 214.  As a result, delete the Vietnam Service Medal
And add to his DD Form 214: the following:

* Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars 
* Meritorious Unit Commendation








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.  AR 635-5 (Separation Documents) in effect at the time, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).  

	a.  Item 25 (Education and Training Completed).  Enlisted personnel, enter installation training courses (qualification courses), military correspondence courses, and off-duty courses the enlisted person has completed successfully during the period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared.  

	b.  Item 30 the remarks section will be used to complete entries too long for-their respective blocks.  When used for cross-reference, the item number must precede the continued information.  If item 32 is filled and still more space is required, the last line will read "Continued on reverse and the remarks will be completed on the reverse of the form.  

3.  DA Pam 672-3 ( Decorations and Awards) states an organization is given campaign participation credit if it actually engaged the enemy in combat, was stationed in the combat zone, or performed duties either in the air or on the ground in any part of the combat zone during the time limitations of the campaign. Service stars are worn on the service and campaign medals to denote participation in campaigns.

* Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase IV, 2 April 1968—30 June 1968
* Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase V, 1 July 1968—1 November 1968
* Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VI, 2 November 1968— 22 February 1969
* TET 69 Counteroffensive, 23 February 1969—8 June 1969



ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170012822


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