RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 1 December 2021 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210007714 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending 18 June 1971 to show: a. completion of the following training: . 20-ton crane operator's class . 40-ton crane operator's class . 5-ton truck and/or Jeep operator's class . projectionist course b. completion of a "ghost mission" in Laos APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: . DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record under the Provisions of Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552) . Self-Authored Letter . DD Form 214 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Record (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: a. He attended and passed a 20-and 40-ton crane operator's class while he was assigned to the 2nd Logistical Command, Okinawa, Japan. b. In 1969 while assigned to the 2nd Logistical Command, he went on a "ghost mission" to Laos. A "ghost mission" is a highly classified mission, which meant they were not there nor did they exist. He went on this mission and was trained and qualified as a crawler tractor operator specialist (bulldozer). He is uncertain if this mission has since been declassified. However, since it is not reflected on his DD Form 214, he is being denied a number of veterans' benefits, including medical benefits. c. While assigned to 5th Army, Fort Carson, CO, he obtained his military driver's license for operating several vehicles from a 5-ton dump truck down to a Jeep. He also attended and became a projectionist. d. None of the training is reflected on his DD Form 214. 3. On 21 June 1968, he enlisted in the Regular Army. 4. Headquarters, 2nd Logistical Command, Special Orders Number 289, 23 November 1968, show he performed on-the-job training (OJT) in military occupational specialty (MOS) 76V2O (Forklift Operator). The orders further state the "section chief will report results of the OJT and submit recommendations for award of MOS." The applicant held MOS 62E2O (Crawl Tractor Operator). His service records are void of a recommendation from the section chief. 5. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in: . item 22 (MOS) – 62E2O (Crawl Tractor Operator) effective 18 October 1968 . item 27 (Military Education) – 62E (Crawl Tractor Operator), Fort Leonard Wood, MO, 8 weeks, 1968 . item 31 (Foreign Service) – overseas tour credit for service in U.S. Army Pacific-Okinawa from 13 November 1968 through 12 May 1970 . item 38 (Record of Assignments) – . 16 November 1968 through 14 March 1969 – duty MOS 76V2O (Unit Supply Specialist) as a fork lift operator – 541st Supply Company, U.S. Army Pacific . 15 March 1969 through 30 December 1969 – duty MOS 71B2O (Clerk Typist) as a reports clerk – U.S. Army Support Operations Directorate, 2d Logistical Command, U.S. Army Pacific . 31 December 1969 through 30 January 1970 – duty MOS 63H4O (Track Vehicle Repairer) as an equipment repair supervisor – U.S. Army Support Operations Directorate, 2d Logistical Command, U.S. Army Pacific . 31 January 1970 through 23 May 1970 – duty MOS 71B2O (Clerk Typist) as a reports clerk – U.S. Army Support Operations Directorate, 2d Logistical Command, U.S. Army Pacific 6. His service records are void of orders or documentation regarding performance of a "ghost mission" in Laos. 7. His service records are void of a military driver's license or operator's training record. 8. On 18 June 1971, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement). He completed 2 years, 11 months, and 28 days of net active service during this period. His DD Form 214 shows in: . item 22c (Foreign and/or Sea Service) – 1 year and 6 months under command of the U.S. Army Pacific . item 25 (Education and Training Completed) – basic combat training and Crawl Tractor Operator advanced individual training . item 30 (Remarks) – . Education: 12 years General . Blood Group: A positive . U.S. Army Reserve – 22 April 1968 through 20 June 1968 BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant's record of service, documents submitted in support of the petition and executed a comprehensive review based on law, policy and regulation. Upon review of the applicant’s petition and available military records the Board agreed the burden of proof rests with the applicant. However, he did provide any supporting documentation and his record is absent evidence to support his “ghost mission" in Laos or the training supported by his chain of command. Based a preponderance of evidence, the Board determined that the absence of the requested items on his DD Form 214 is not in error or unjust and therefore denied relief. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING XX XXX XX 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. X CHAIRPERSON 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, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 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 3-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 upon 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, including the DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) and orders. a. The specific instructions for item 25 (Education and Training Completed) stated to enter service schools, including major courses which were successfully completed, and military sponsored coursed completed in civilian schools and colleges during period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared. This entry includes the highest civilian education level acquired during this period of service, if appropriate. For enlisted personnel, enter the installation training courses (qualification courses), military correspondence courses, and off-duty coursed the enlisted person completed successfully during the period covered by the DD Form 214 being prepared. b. The specific instructions for item 22a (Foreign and/or Sea Service) for enlisted personnel stated to enter the total service completed between the dates shown in item 10c (Date Inducted) or item 17c (Date of Entry) and item 11d (Effective Date) of the DD Form 214, as represented by continual and foreign service, less time lost. c. The specific instructions for item 30 (Remarks) stated the "Remarks" section will be used to complete entries too long for their respective blocks. When used for cross-reference, the item number must precede the continued information. If item 30 is filled and still more space is required, the last line will read "Continued on reverse" and the remarks will be completed on the reverse of the form. The specific instructions for item 30 do not address additional entries for foreign service or missions. //NOTHING FOLLOWS//