ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS BOARD DATE: 18 October 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20180003229 APPLICANT REQUESTS: to correct his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to reflect the following: * Top Secret Clearance * Boat Training * Airborne Training * service on the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) * service as a boat operator * Escape and Evasion Training * Completion of his General Educational Development (GED) APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record), dated 6 February 2018 and 16 February 2018 * Self-Authored Statement, dated 6 February 2018 * DD Form 293, dated 16 February 2018 * VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance) (not dated) * VA Form 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim), dated 16 February 2017 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 there is no record of his top secret security clearance on his 201 file. There is no record of his boat training in Vietnam which lasted 10-14 days in 1972. There is no record of his airborne training in 1971. There is no record of him serving on the DMZ on the river from Ferry Site West to Freedom Bridge from 1972-1973 as a boat operator for 13 months in Korea. There is no record of escape and evasion training in 1972 which prepared him for previously referenced training. a. The Army gave the applicant and about 16 other troops these medals, letters of recommendations, and thanks for a job well done, but the Army did not record anything. His last overseas duty is recorded as Korea. That is it. There is nothing about hazard pay for being on the DMZ of North and South Korea at Camp Pelham at 100% combat readiness 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. b. At the time he served, he was one of the chosen few engineers. He was at the time the nearest U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) Army compound to the DMZ. He was part of a strike unit, which is not your average unit. When he completed all boat training in Vietnam, he was given medals and told to put all the training to work. The Army did not document this. Now, 44 years later, he cannot get Veterans Administration (VA) medical help because there are no documents of the hazardous places he served and the medals he earned. c. For over 40 years he wore and displayed his military awards and achievements proudly, only to find out that on the Army’s end it was all false. 15 of his buddies were there and served. d. He gave his word to the flag and his Army that he would not tell or reveal anything they did or saw on the DMZ. God as his witness, he has not uttered a word because of that part of his training. Besides, who would care since it was 45 years ago. e. Without proof of his GED he cannot get even a minimum wage job. f. He knows the security clearance he had in the Army followed him all of his life. 3- 4 days after purchasing a guy, when he went to pick it up, they asked him if he ever had a secret security clearance in the service. 3. The applicant provides: a. VA Form 21-2680 (not dated), in which the applicant lists his diagnosis of vertebra basilar syndrome as the reason for his need for an examination for housebound status or permanent need for regular aid and attendance. b. VA Form 21-4138, dated 16 February 2017, states the applicant was turned down by VA for medical benefits. He was told by VA he would have to pay as if he were at a doctor’s office. He has been diagnosed with a brain disease and heart issues. He cannot drive to get the print out. He cannot drive or stand. (1) He was a truck driver for 42 years. He has an excellent driving record. His career is gone. He has no insurance, not job, and not income. All of this is due to the fact that there are no documents for all the ribbons, duty assignments, and duties of his military service. (2) His home was completed lost in a fire in 2012. All he has is a few documents, but no completed DD Form 214. He was sent a letter some time in 1976- 1977 explaining his records had been destroyed in a fire at Fort Benjamin Harris, IN. He thinks this is correct, but he can’t remember a lot. He does recall the letter the Army sent. 4. The applicant’s airborne training should be reflected on his DD Form 214. As a result his airborne training will be added to his DD Form 214 as an administrative correction and does not require action by the Board. The Board will only consider the issue of additional training applicable to the applicant and it subsequent correction of his DD Form 214 for said training. 5. A review of the applicant’s service record shows: a. On 2 February 1971, he enlisted in the Regular Army. On 29 June 1972, he immediately reenlisted. b. DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he served in ROK from 16 November 1972 to 2 December 1973. It shows he completed airborne training on 2 July 1971. However, it does not reflect the training the requested by the applicant. Nor does it reflect his completion of a GED in item 32 (Civilian Education). DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) is void of the same information. c. The complete facts and circumstances of the applicant’s service are not available for the Board to review. d. On 20 March 1973, the applicant was denied access to classified defense information due to wrongful possession of suspected marijuana. e. On 29 June 1975, he was discharged from active duty under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 200 (Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel),under the separation program designator LBK (completion of required service), and issued an honorable discharge. His DD Form 214 reflects he completed 4 years, 4 months, and 26 days of active service. 6. By regulation, DD Form 214 will be prepared for all personnel at the time of their retirement, discharge, or release from Active Army. Personnel included are members of the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve separated after completing 90 days or more of continuous active duty for training, full-time training duty, or active duty support. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found partial relief was warranted. The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered. Evidence of record shows he completed the Airborne Course and was awarded the Parachutist Badge; however, the course and the badge are not listed on his DD Form 214. He contends his record does not reflect his service in Korea. His DD Form 214 does show his service in Korea. However, the Board agreed that he should also have the Korea Defense Service Medal for his service there. The applicant’s record is absent evidence showing he completed a high school equivalency program during the period covered by the DD Form 214. His record is also void of evidence showing he completed a course for boats, escape and evasion. The applicant is advised only the last unit of assignment is listed on the DD Form 214, the completion of basic training is not listed on the DD Form 214, and his record shoes he was denied access to classified information. 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 the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 26 June 1975 by: a. item 26 - adding the Korean Defense Service Medal and the Parachutist Badge; and b. item 27 – adding “Basic Airborne Course, Fort Benning, GA, 3 weeks, 1971” 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 any additional relief. 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 635-5 (Personnel Separation – Separation Documents), in effect at the time, states DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) will be prepared for all personnel at the time of their retirement, discharge, or release from Active Army. Personnel included are members of the Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve separated after completing 90 days or more of continuous active duty for training, full-time training duty, or active duty support. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20180004323 5 1