ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS BOARD DATE: 24 October 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20190011937 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to reflect: * his social security number (SSN) as in lieu of * award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) * award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * BSM Citation * Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division General Orders Number 14, dated 15 August 1968 * 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 SSN was typed wrong on his DD Form 214 and the awards were left off of his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 28 September 1966. His DD Form 47 (Record of Induction) does not reflect a SSN, but rather a Service Number. 4. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows: * his SSN as * his military occupational specialty (MOS) was 36K (Wireman) * he served in Vietnam from 29 September 1967 through 20 September 1968 * while in Vietnam he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division from 2 October 1967 through 8 November 1967 where he served as a Wireman * he was reassigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division from 9 November 1967 through 19 December 1967, where he served as a Wireman * he was reassigned to HHC 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division from 20 December 1967 through 14 September 1968, where he served as a Senior Wireman * he participated in four campaigns * neither the CIB nor the BSM are listed 5. Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division General Orders Number 14, dated 15 August 1968, show the applicant was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal (First Award) for the period from 28 September 1966 through 13 September 1968. These General Orders show the applicant’s SSN as. 6. The applicant provided a copy of a BSM Citation, which states the applicant was presented the BSM for distinguishing himself by meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period September 1967 to September 1968. 7. The applicant’s military records do not contain corresponding orders awarding him the BSM. 8. The applicant’s records are also void of orders awarding him the CIB There is also no evidence of record the applicant actively participated in ground combat while serving as an Infantryman assigned to an infantry unit in Vietnam. 9. A DA Form 2376 (Notification to State Adjutant’s General - Release from Active Duty of Obligated Reservist) shows the applicant was to be released from active duty on or about 16 September 1968 and should arrive home on or about 26 September 1968. It lists his SSN as. 10. His DD Form 214 shows he was honorably released from active duty on 16 September 1968 after 1 year, 11 months, and 19 days of net active service. His SSN is listed as. He was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Army Good Conduct Medal (First Award) * Vietnam Service Medal * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Medal with Rifle Bar (M-16) 11. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System maintained by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command Military Awards Branch, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973, failed to reveal any orders for the BSM or the CIB pertaining to the applicant. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that partial relief is warranted. The applicant’s DD Form 214 should be corrected show his correct SSN and to show that he was awarded the BSM, and he should be provided the awards identified in the administrative notes below. 2. There is insufficient evidence that the applicant is eligible for award of the CIB since he did not have an infantry military occupational specialty and was not assigned to an infantry position during while the unit was engaged in active ground combat. 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: a. Correcting his DD Form 214 to show his correct SSN 546-XX-XXXX and to show that he was awarded the BSM. b. Making the corrections described in Administrative Note(s) below. 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 awarding the Combat Infantry Badge. 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): A review of the applicant’s records show he was awarded or authorized additional awards not listed on his DD Form 214. As a result, amend his DD Form 214 with the through date of 16 September 1968, by adding the following: * Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class 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 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers at the time of retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It established standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The general instructions stated all available records would be used as a basis for preparation of the DD Form 214. 3. Army Regulation 635-200 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. a. The basic requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) are as follows: the Soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, he must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and he must actively participate in such ground combat. b. The Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. c. A bronze service star is authorized with the Vietnam Service Medal for participation in each credited campaign. 4. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This pamphlet shows 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment was awarded the: * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period January 1966 through August 1968 in Department of Army General Orders Number 48, dated 1971 * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, for the period 1 January 1966 through 21 January 1970 in Department of Army General Orders 51, dated 1971 NOTHING FOLLOWS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20190011937 5 1