ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 30 September 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20180002471 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to show award of the: * Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) with silver service star * Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Campaign Medal with device (1960) (RVNCM) * Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) – for the period 25 August 1967 to 26 January 1967 while assigned to Company C, 229th Aviation Battalion * Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) with oak leaf cluster – for the period 17 December 1967 to 17 June 1969, while assigned to the 273rd Aviation Company * Valorous Unit Award (VUA) – for the period 1 May 1969 to 29 June 1969, while assigned to the 273rd Aviation Company APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214, ending 31 January 1977 * Department of the Army Pamphlet (DA PAM) 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) extract 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 Board will not consider the following portions of the applicant's requests, as these items will be addressed through an administrative correction: * VSM with silver service star * PUC * VUA 3. The applicant states, in effect, that the RVNCM and the MUC were either missed or were unknown of at the time of his separation. 4. Having prior enlisted service, the applicant was appointed as a warrant officer in the U. S. Army Reserve on 29 March 1966. A review of his record shows: a. he served in the RVN from 18 April 1966 to 14 April 1967; during this period he was assigned to the 229th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), from 5 April 1966 to 12 April 1967. b. he completed a second tour in the RVN from 27 June 1969 to 3 June 1970. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Personnel Qualification Record) does not clearly show his arrival date to the 273rd Aviation Company (Heavy Helicopter). However, his arrival date is listed as 30 June 1969 on a memorandum, subject: Explanation of Other Days. This memorandum is attached to his Officer Evaluation Report for the period 19 March 1969 through 16 November 1969. 5. The applicant retired from active duty on 31 January 1977. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized: * Army Aviation Badge * Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award) * VSM * National Defense Service Medal * Air Medal (6th Award) * RVNCM * Army Commendation Medal * Bronze Star Medal * Distinguished Flying Cross * RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * MUC 6. DA PAM 672-3 lists unit awards. This pamphlet shows that the 273rd Aviation Company was cited for the MUC in Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 2, dated 1971, for the period from 17 December 1967 through 17 June 1969, prior to the date the applicant was assigned to the organization. 7. The RVNCM was listed on his DD Form 214 for the period ending on 31 January 1977; as such, the no correction is necessary to add this award. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that, except for the items identified for administrative correction below, relief is not warranted. 2. Setting aside those items that will be handled as administrative corrections, the Board discussed the remaining items, i.e., correction of his DD Form 214 to show a second award of the MUC and to spell out the full name of the RVNCM. 3. The Board agreed that the evidence did not show that he had served in the 273rd Aviation Company during the period 17 December 1967 to 17 June 1969. Because the available records show he arrived at the unit after the end of that period, he is not authorized permanent award of the MUC the unit received for that period. As such, it would not be appropriate to add this award to his record. 4. Regarding the RVNCM, the Board agreed that the standard abbreviation used on his DD Form 214 does not constitute an error. 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. The Board notes the items not requiring Board action listed in the administrative notes below, and asks that the staff of the ABCMR address those items. 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): 1. The following are sufficient to make administrative corrections the applicant's DD Form 214 for the period ending on 31 January 1977 without action by the Board. a. Permanent Orders 74-2, published by U. S. Army Forces Command, on 10 December 1976, awarded the applicant the MSM. b. DA PAM 672-3 cites the applicant's units with award of the - (1) PUC, to Company C, 229th Aviation Battalion, for the period 25 August 1966 to 26 January 1967, in DAGO Number 2, dated 1973. (2) VUA, to 273rd Aviation Company, for the period 1 May 1970 to 29 June 1970, in DAGO Number 43, dated 1973. c. AR 600-8-22 states a bronze service star is authorized for wear on the VSM for each Vietnam campaign a member is credited with participating in. A silver service star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars. Appendix B shows that the applicant participated in five campaigns which authorizes him the silver service star. 2. Correct the applicant's DD Form 214 as follows: a. delete the VSM from item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) and b. add the following awards to item 26: * MSM * VSM with silver service star * PUC * VUA 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. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citations and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists unit awards. This pamphlet shows the 273rd Aviation Company was cited for the Meritorious Unit Commendation, published in Department of the Army General Orders Number 2, dated 1971, for the period from 17 December 1967 through 17 June 1969. 3. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device (1960) and the miniature medal are items of individual purchase. However, this award has been recorded "with device (1960)" on DD Forms 214 from the same period. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20180002471 4 1