ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  9 October 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20180001902


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

*	Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons 
Awarded or Authorized) – the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM)
*	Item 25 (Education and Training Completed) – the Track Vehicle 
Maintenance Course

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	ARCOM citation and certificate
*	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 (ABCMR) 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 DD Form 214 does not show the Track Vehicle 
Maintenance Course he completed at Fort Benning, GA.  His time is incorrect for his 
overseas service bars.  Also, the ARCOM, for meritorious service from January 1968 
to December 1969 in Vietnam, is not shown on his DD Form 214.  He wants his 
military records completed so his family has the correct information.

3.  The applicant provides the following:

	a.  Citation awarding him the ARCOM for exceptionally meritorious service in 
Vietnam from January 1968 to December 1969.

	b.  Certificate, dated 25 December 1969, awarding him the ARCOM for 
meritorious service in Vietnam from January 1968 to December 1969.  The 
certificate does not list a permanent order number.

4.  Review of the applicant’s service record shows:

	a.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 8 May 1967.

	b.  An Academic Achievement – Distinguished Honor Graduate memorandum, 
dated 8 November 1967, shows he earned the honor of attaining the highest 
academic grade in the Tracked Vehicle Mechanic Course, U.S. Army Infantry School 
(USAIS), Fort Benning, GA.

	c.  His DA Form 20 contains the following information in:

		(1)  Item 22 (Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)) – he was awarded 
MOS Senior Vehicle Repairman on 22 March 1969

		(2)  Item 27 (Military Education) – he completed the:

*	Wheel Vehicle Maintenance Course, Fort Jackson, SC, 7 weeks, 1967
*	General Vehicle Repairman Course, USAIS, Fort Benning, 7 weeks, 1967

		(3)  Item 31 (Foreign Service) – he served in Vietnam from 10 January 
1968 to 9 December 1969 and was assigned to the 67th Maintenance Company.

		(4)  Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) – list the:

*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Vietnam Service Medal
*	two overseas service bars
*	Vietnam Campaign Medal

	d.  He was honorably released from active duty on 10 December 1969 and was 
transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group.  His DD Form 214 shows he 
completed 2 years, 7 months, and 3 days of active service.  This form also shows in:

*	Item 24 – the:

*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14)
*	Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16)
*	two overseas service bars
*	Vietnam Campaign Medal

*	Item 25 – the:

*	CST, Fort Jackson, 21 weeks
*	Wheel Vehicle Maintenance Course

	e.  During the Vietnam era, one overseas service bar was authorized for each 
6 month period served in Vietnam, and both the month of arrival and the month of 
departure were credited as whole months.  Based on this, the applicant was eligible 
for two overseas service bars (10 January 1968 to 9 December 1969).  The 
overseas service bar is an item of clothing, not recorded on the DD Form 214.  
During the Vietnam War, it was customary to list the overseas service bars on the 
separation document.

5.  A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System 
(ADCARS), an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1970 
and 1971 maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the U.S. Army Human 
Resources Command, failed to reveal orders awarding the ARCOM pertaining to the 
applicant.

6.  The applicant’s record confirms he was awarded the Vietnam Service medal and 
it is not recorded on his DD Form 214.  This award will be as administrative 
corrections and will not be considered by the Board.  

7.  By regulations:

	a.  AR 600-8-22, the ARCOM is awarded to any Service member of the Armed 
Forces of the United States who distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, 
meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.  Award of the ARCOM require a 
formal recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and 
announcement in orders.

	b.  AR 635-5, the following items will list:

*	Item 24 – all awards
*	Item 25 – the service schools, including major courses which were 
successfully completed, and military sponsored courses completed in 
civilian schools and colleges during the period covered by the 
DD Form 214



BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief 
was warranted.  The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered.  The 
evidence provided shows he was awarded the ARCOM and completed the military 
education; however, they were not listed on his DD Form 214.  

The Board also noted evidence of record shows he served in Vietnam; however, his 
DD Form 214 does not show the Vietnam Service Medal nor the Republic of 
Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Pal Unit Citation.  

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 his DD 
Form 214 for the period ending 10 December 1969 by:

     a.  item 24 – adding the following awards:

*	Army Commendation Medal
*	Vietnam Service Medal with 8 bronze service stars
*	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation

     b.  item 25 – adding the entry “Fort Benning, Georgia, 8 WKS, Tracked Vehicle 
Mechanic Course” 

	  
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 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) 600-8-22 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, governed 
the eligibility and award authority of all awards and decorations for issued to 
members of the U.S. Army.  The regulation stated the Army Commendation Medal 
(ARCOM) is awarded to any Service 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.  Award of the ARCOM is done through military orders and a certificate.  

3.  AR 635-5 (Personnel Separations – Separation Documents), in effect at the time, 
prescribed the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on 
retirement, discharge, release from active duty service, or control of the Active Army. 
I t contains item-by-item instructions for completing the DD Form 214.  It shows for:

	a.  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons 
Awarded or Authorized) – list awards and decorations for all periods of service in the 
priority sequence specified in AR 600-8-22.  Each entry will be verified by the 
Soldier’s records.

	b.  Item 25 (Education and Training Completed) – from the military personnel 
record, the service schools, including major courses which were successfully 
completed, and military sponsored courses completed in civilian schools and 
colleges during the period covered by the DD Form 214.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20180001902

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