ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


                   IN THE CASE OF:

                   BOARD DATE:  31 January 2019  

                   DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170014746


APPLICANT REQUESTS: to be awarded the:

Special Forces Tab 
Presidential Unit Citation 

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* DD Form 215 ( Correction to DD Form 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) dated 3 August 2015
* DD Form 214 (Armed Force of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) dated 3 December 1971
* Special Orders Number 150 dated 23 June 1970
* Special Orders Number 334 dated 30 November 1970
* Special Orders 204 dated 9 October 1971 
* Special Orders 231 dated 9 November 1971
* Special Forces Advance Enlisted Course Certificate dated 28 May 1970
* Special Forces Light/ Heavy Weapons Course dated 25 April 1970 
* The Presidential Unit Citation (Army) documentation 
* General Orders Number 25 dated 8 June 2001
* Permanent Order 182-02 dated 1 July 2009

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’s award request for the Presidential Unit Citation Award is supported by sufficient evidence; therefore, it will be administratively corrected and not considered by the Board.  The Board will consider the Special Forces Tab.    

3.  The applicant's records shows on:

* 29 May 1969, he enlisted in the Regular Army.
* 8 November 1969, he was assigned to Company D United States Army Special Training Group for Phase I Special Force Training
* 25 April 1970, he completed and graduated from Special Forces Light/ Heavy Weapons Course 
* 28 May 1970, he completed Special Forces Advance Enlisted Course
* 10 August 1970 through 24 February 1971, he was assigned to 5th Special Force Group as an 11C4S with the "S" Special Forces designator.
* his DD Form 214 that he received the Combat Infantryman Badge
* 3 December 1971, he received an honorable discharge 

4.  Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards) paragraph 5-30 shows individuals on active duty may be awarded the Special Forces Tab if they successfully complete the special forces qualification course or in residential special forces training in either the special forces school or Special Forces Training Group and was awarded prefix 3, or suffix S, SQI S or ASI 5G.  Special Forces Tab was created in 1983 therefore the applicant was not awarded the Special Force Tab during the period of service in which the he served.  Service members eligible for the Special Force Tab following 1955 must successfully serve for 120 days or more as an enlisted member of a special force reconnaissance team and was awarded the CIB. 

BOARD DISCUSSION:

The Board considered the applicant’s request with all supporting documents, evidence in the service record and applicable policies and guidance.  The Board finds the preponderance of evidence supports award of the Special Forces Tab and warrants granting full relief. 

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:

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 the applicant's DD Form 214 by adding Special Forces Tab.  

				 	___________X________________
					Chairperson

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:

1.  General Order Number 25 shows the 5th Special Force Group, Danang Republic of Vietnam from 1 January 1968 to 31 December 1971 received the Presidential Unit Citation.  The applicant was assigned to the 5th Special Force Group from                                 10 August 1970 through 24 February 1971. 

2.  Amend the applicant’s DD Form 214 by adding the Presidential 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 (AR) 672-5-1 (Military Awards) prescribes Department of the Army (DA) policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military awards.
 
     a.  The Special Force Tab was created in 1983. Anyone eligible for the Special Force Tab retroactively awards must serve on active duty or active status in the reserve components and meet any of the following:  Successfully complete special force qualification course, the Special Forces Officer Course or in resident Special Forces Training in either the Special Force School or Special Forces Training Group and was Subsequently awarded prefix 3, or suffix S, SQI "S" or ASI "5G".  Subsequent to 1955 the individual must successfully serve normally for 120 days or more as a company grade officer or enlisted member of a Special Forces Operational Detachment or Reconnaissance Team or Strike Force and was awarded the CIB or CMB. 

     b.  Presidential Unit Citation (Army) Effective 3 November 1966 the Distinguished Unit Citation was redesigned the Presidential Unit Citation (Army).  The Presidential Unit Citation is awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after 7 December 1941.  The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions as to set it apart and above other units participating in the same campaign.  The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of a Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.  Extended .periods of combat duty or participation in a large number of operational missions, either ground. or air is not sufficient.  This a", award will normally be earned by units which have participated in single or successive actions covering relatively brief time spans.  It .is not reasonable to presume that entire units can sustain Distinguished Service Cross performance for extended time periods except under the most unusual circumstances. Only on rare occasions will a unit larger than a battalion qualify for award of this decoration 


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170014746


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