ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:

	BOARD DATE:  4 October 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190004943


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  in effect the correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of 
Transfer or Discharge) to show the following awards:

*	Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM)
*	Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM)
*	Outstanding "LPC," Advanced Individual Training (AIT) award
*	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation 

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DA FORM 4980-14 ARCOM Certificate
*	Memory Book photos
*	National Personnel Records Center letter dated 4 February 2019

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the 3 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 he received an ARCOM for service to the 22nd Surgical 
Hospital after transferring to the 18th Surgical Hospital.  His order and letter for the 
ARCOM were lost during a divorce.  Additionally he would like an AGCM, the Republic 
of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation as well as a "LPC" (AIT Award) 
added to his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant voluntarily enlisted into the Army of the United States on 29 April 1966.  
He graduated from military occupational specialty (MOS) 12B (Combat Engineer) 
school on 30 September 1966, but due to medical issues was subsequently reclassified 
to MOS 71M (Chaplain’s Assistant).


4.  The applicant’s record reflects he volunteered for a tour in Vietnam and was 
assigned to the 22nd Surgical Hospital and then the 18th Surgical Hospital from 
5 December 1968 to 4 December 1968.  

5.  The applicant’s record is void of any orders awarding him an ARCOM or an AGCM.  
Additionally there is no entry on his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) in 
item 41 (Awards and Decorations) reflecting an ARCOM or AGCM.

6.  The evidence of record confirms he served honorably during the period 29 April 1966 
to 5 December 1968.  The DA Form 20 shows he received all "excellent" conduct and 
efficiency ratings throughout his service.  His record shows no evidence indicating he 
would have been precluded from being awarded the AGCM (1st Award).  

7.  The applicant was honorably discharged and transferred to the United States Army 
Reserve on 5 December 1968.  His DD Form 214 does not show the ARCOM or the 
AGCM as an authorized award in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, 
Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized).  He was 
awarded or authorized the following:

*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14 and M-16)
*	Vietnam Service Medal
*	Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)

8.  A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System 
(ADCARS) failed to reveal any orders awarding the applicant the ARCOM.  ADCARS is 
an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 
maintained by the Awards and Decorations Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources 
Command.

9.  The applicant provided a photo of a DA Form 4980-14 (ARCOM Certificate) dated 
15 November 1968.  It reads “For Meritorious Service during the Period September 
1967 to December 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam.”  The Commanding General, 44th 
Medical Brigade who signed the award served in that position from 1968-1969.

10.  The applicant provided photos from an AIT memory book depicting the awarding of 
Outstanding “LPC” award.  This award is not referenced in Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-
22 (Military Awards).

11.  The applicant submitted a letter from the National Personnel Records Center dated 
4 February 2019.  The letter indicated he was authorized the Republic of Vietnam 
Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.


BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  The Board considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and evidence 
in the records.  The Board considered the applicant’s statement, his record of service 
and DA Form 20, including his excellent conduct and efficiency ratings the ARCOM 
certificate he provided, the applicable awards regulations, and the entries on his DD 
Form 214.  The Board found that the evidence supported award of the AGCM and found 
that the ARCOM certificate was signed by an appropriate authority and coincided with 
his service in Vietnam.  The Board found that the Outstanding “LPC” award was not 
referenced in the Military Awards regulation.  By preponderance of evidence, the Board 
determined errors existed on the applicant’s DD Form 214 and that corrections were 
required.  The Board concurred with the corrections stated in the Administrative Note(s) 
below. 

2.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
partial relief was warranted.
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.  In addition to the corrections stated in the Administrative Note(s) that follow, 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:
      -  Awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal for his service from 
1966-1968, and;
      - Amending his DD Form 214 for the period of service ending 5 December 1968 
by adding to item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and 
Campaign Ribbons…) – Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal and 
the awards listed in the Administrative Note(s) that follow.

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 adding the Outstanding “LPC” Award.



	  
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.  After a review of the applicant’s Vietnam tour dates he should be authorized one 
silver service star to be affixed to his previously awarded Vietnam Service Medal for the 
following campaigns: 
 
*	Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase III, 1 June 1967—29 January 1968.
*	TET Counteroffensive, 30 January 1968—1 April 1968.
*	Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase IV, 2 April 1968—30 June 1968.
*	Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase V, 1 July 1968—1 November 1968.
*	Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VI, 2 November 1968—22 February 1969


2.  Amend the DD Form 214 as follows:

*	Delete Vietnam Service Medal

*	Add Vietnam Service Medal with one silver star in accordance with AR 600-8-22

*	Add Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device (1960) in accordance 
with AR 600-8-22






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 672-5-1 (Awards), in effect at the time, stated the Army Good 
Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal 
military service completed on or after 27 August 1940; for the first award only, 1 year 
served entirely during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946; and, for the first 
award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years 
but more than 1 year.  The enlisted person must have had all "excellent" conduct and 
efficiency ratings.  There must have been no convictions by a court-martial.
3.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and 
administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards.

 	a.  The Army Commendation Medal 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.	
     b.  The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) was awarded by 
the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for 
qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973.  
Qualifying service included assignment in Vietnam for 6 months or more.  Qualifying 
service outside the geographical limits of the Republic of Vietnam required the individual 
to provide direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces.  Also 
eligible for this award are individuals who qualified for award of the Vietnam Service 
Medal or the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and served for less than six months of 
service but:

*	were wounded as a result of hostile action 
*	were captured by hostile forces but later escaped or were rescued or released
*	were killed in action or otherwise in line of duty
  
    c.  The Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the 
United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973.  
Qualifying service included attachment to or assignment for 1 or more days with an 
organization participating in or directly supporting military operations.  Qualifying service 
also included temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days in 
Vietnam or contiguous areas, except that the time limit may be waived for personnel 
participating in actual combat operations.  This same regulation states a bronze service 
star will be awarded for wear on the Vietnam Service Medal for participation in each 
credited campaign.  A silver service star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars.
4.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) states to list awards and 
decorations for all periods of service in the priority sequence specified in Army 
Regulation 600-8-22.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 gives the order of precedence for 
awards and decorations.  Only decorations, medals, and ribbons are listed.  Certificates 
of achievement, letters of appreciation, and similar documents are not listed.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS// 







ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20190004943
	
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