ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 4 March 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170017627 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the: * Air Medal * Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) (2nd oak leaf cluster) * Completion of the OH 58 Helicopter Repairman Course in Vietnam APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 * General Orders Number 9331 * General Orders Number 1286 * General Orders Number 8606 * ARCOM (1st oak leaf cluster) Citation * Certificate of Training 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 the ARCOM on three separate occasions and that his OH 58 Helicopter Repairman training was performed in the Republic of Vietnam. 3. The applicant provided and his records contain General Orders Number 9331 issued by Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade on 21 September 1970, which awarded him the Air Medal; the Board will not consider this portion of the Applicant's request as it will be addressed through an administrative correction. The Board will consider the following portions of the applicant's request that pertains to award of the ARCOM (2nd Oak Leaf Cluster and the location of his OH 58 Helicopter Repairman training. 4. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 13 November 1967 and he served in the Republic of Vietnam from 27 June 1968 to 26 June 1969 and from 10 October 1969 to 7 October 1970. 5. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show award of the ARCOM (2nd oak leaf cluster). His official military records do not contain general orders announcing award of the ARCOM (2nd oak leaf cluster). 6. He was honorably released from active duty on 7 October 1970. a. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of 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) * ARCOM (1st oak leaf cluster) * Army Good Conduct Medal b. Item 25 (Education and Training Completed) of his DD Form 214 contains the entry, "OH 58 HEL RPMN 67V2T FT EUSTIS VA 2 WEEKS 1970." 7. The applicant provides and his records contain: a. General Orders Number 1286 issued by Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade on 3 March 1970 awarded him the ARCOM for meritorious achievement from 1 January to 18 February 1970. b. General Orders Number 8606 issued by Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade on 2 September 1970 awarded him the ARCOM (1st oak leaf cluster) for meritorious service from October 1969 to August 1970. d. Certificate of Training which shows he completed an 81 hour OH-58A Airframe Maintenance Course given at the U.S. Army Aviation Systems Command, APO San Francisco. 8. The applicant provides a citation for award of the ARCOM (1st oak leaf cluster) for meritorious service from April 1969 to April 1970. 9. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, failed to reveal any orders for the ARCOM (2nd oak leaf cluster) pertaining to the applicant. 10. The applicable regulation states the ARCOM may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 11. The standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214 states a Soldier's military education is obtained from the Soldier's record. The regulation states to list formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214 and include course title, length in weeks, and year completed. BOARD DISCUSSION: After review of the application and all evidence, the Board determined there is insufficient evidence to grant relief. The Board agreed the military training was completed in RVN; however, as a satellite course from Fort Eustis. In addition, there was no evidence to substantiate a third ARCOM. 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. ___________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(S): General Orders Number 9331 issued by Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade on 21 September 1970 awarded him the Air Medal. His DD Form 214 will be administratively corrected to add the Air Medal to item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized). 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 that the awards program enables award authorities to recognize Soldiers for valor, meritorious service and achievement; and to document and record that recognition for historical purposes. The ARCOM may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 3. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), then in effect, prescribed the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It also established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. a. All awards authorized and contained in the order of precedence in the Army's awards regulation will be entered. There are no provisions for entering letters or certificates of appreciation, achievement, or training on the DD Form 214. b. The Soldier's military education is obtained from the Soldier's record. The instructions state to list formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214 and include course title, length in weeks, and year completed. This information is to assist the Soldier in job placement and counseling; therefore, training courses for combat skills will not be listed. c. The DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170017627 4 1