ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:

	BOARD DATE:  27 August 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190005115


APPLICANT REQUESTS: the Vietnam Service Medal be added to his 
DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), with 
a separation date of 22 August 1969, for his 11 month period of service in Thailand.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	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 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, in effect, he served in Thailand for a period of 11 months which 
qualifies him for award of the Vietnam Service Medal but it is not listed on his  
DD Form 214.  

3.  On 25 August 1966, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of three 
years.  He completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded 
military operational specialty MOS 76D (Ordnance Supply and Parts Specialist).

4.  Special Orders Number 39, Headquarters, United States Army Personnel Center, 
dated 8 February 1967, shows the applicant received orders for the purpose of onward 
travel to his unit of assignment in Thailand.

5.  On or about 13 February 1967, the applicant was assigned to the Headquarters and 
Maintenance Support Company, 7th Maintenance Battalion (Direct Support), United 
States Army Pacific (USARPAC).  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) 
shows:

*	item 31 (Foreign Service) shows he served for 11 months in the overseas 
command USARPAC – Thailand
*	item 38 (Record of Assignments) shows 3 February 1967, effective date, entry 
for block Organization and Station or Theater shows the word "Thailand" was 
stricken through
*	item 39 (Campaigns) is void of an entry 
*	he received conduct and efficiency ratings of "excellent" during his period of 
service for active duty  

6.  On 22 August 1969, the applicant was released from active duty.  He completed 
2 years, 11 months, and 28 days of net service this period that was characterized as 
honorable.  His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the:

*	"National Defense Service Medal"
*	"Expert (M-14)"

7.  The applicant's record is void of evidence or statements disqualifying him for the 
award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and 
evidence in the records.  The Board considered the applicant’s statement, his 
documented service in Thailand, the absence of disqualifying documents to preclude an 
Army Good Conduct Medal and the awards currently found on his DD Form 214.  The 
Board determined by preponderance of evidence that the applicant met the criteria for 
award of the Vietnam Service Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal and that a 
correction to his record was required.

2.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
relief was warranted.
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 
Army records of the individual concerned be corrected as follows:

-	Award his the Army Good Conduct Medal for his service from August 1966 to 
August 1969;
-	Award his the Vietnam Service Medal for his service in Thailand after 23 July 
1965, and ;
-	Amend his DD Form 214 for the period of service ending 22 August 1969 to 
add in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and 
Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – “Army Good Conduct Medal 
and Vietnam Service Ribbon”.
 


	  
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):

Not Applicable

?
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 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, stated the 
purpose of the separation document was to provide the individual with documentary 
evidence of his or her military service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, 
or discharge.  It is important that information entered on the form be complete and 
accurate and reflects the conditions as they existed at the time of separation.  The 
regulation stated that all decorations, service medals, campaign credits, and badges 
awarded or authorized will be entered in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, 
Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized).

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Vietnam Service Medal was 
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.  Members in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia during 
the same period and serving in direct support of operations in Vietnam were also 
eligible for this award.  

7.  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, 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.  Ratings of “Unknown” for portions of the period under consideration were not 
disqualifying.  There must have been no convictions by a court-martial.  However, there 
was no right or entitlement to the medal until the immediate commander made a 
positive recommendation for its award and until the awarding authority announced the 
award in general orders.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20190005115
	
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