ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 17 May 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220009608 APPLICANT REQUESTS: reconsideration of his previous request to show he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM). APPLICANT’S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of (Military Record) * ARCOM Citation * ARCOM Certificate * Partial document from ABCMR Docket Number AR20150010176, dated 12 May 2016 FACTS: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20150010176, dated 12 May 2016. 2. The applicant states he was awarded the ARCOM; however, this award is not listed in his service record. His ex-wife had the award in her possession for the past 40 years, though it was not listed on his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending on 23 February 1972. 3. The applicant provides an ARCOM Citation and Certificate, which states he was awarded his award for meritorious service in support of military operations against communist aggression in the Republic of Vietnam from 23 April 1971 to 8 February 1972. 4. A review of the applicant’s service record shows the following documentation: a. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 20 November 1970. b. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) reflects in item 41 (Awards and Decorations) that he was not awarded an ARCOM. c. His DD Form 214 for the period ending on 23 February 1972, shows he was honorably released from active duty and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) to complete his remaining service obligation. He completed 1 years, 3 months, and 4 days of net service this period. Item 24 does not reflect the award of the ARCOM. 5. The applicant did not provide a copy of his orders awarding him the ARCOM. 6. Prior ABCMR Docket Number AR20150010176, dated 12 May 2016 shows the Board denied his request for an ARCOM. The Board reasoned that there were no orders in his service record, which awarded him the ARCOM, nor was his name listed in The Army and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System (ADCARS), which lists an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era. 7. The applicant is entitled to additional awards not listed on his DD Form 214. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicant's record of service, documents submitted in support of the petition and executed a comprehensive and standard review based on law, policy and regulation. Upon review of the applicants petition and available military records the Board determined there was sufficient evidence to support correction to the applicant’s DD Form 214 to add his Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) for this meritorious service while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. Based on this, the Board granted relief to amend the applicant’s DD Form 214 to add his ARCOM. 2. Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the analyst of record administrative notes below, and recommended the correction is completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. 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: In addition to the administrative notes annotated by the Analyst of Record (below the signature), the Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 to show in item 41 (Awards and Decorations): Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM). 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 shows he is authorized additional awards not listed on his DD Form 214. As a result, amend his DD Form 214 by: a. Deleting his VSM. b. Add the following awards: o VSM with four bronze service stars o RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations. Chapter 3-19 (ARCOM) states the ARCOM is awarded to any service member of the Armed Forces of the United States, who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service. 2. DA Pamphlet 672-3, shows that during his service in the RVN, participation credit was awarded for the following campaigns: * Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII, 1 July 1970—30 June 1971 * Consolidation I, 1 July 1971—30 November 1971 * Consolidation II, 1 December 1971—29 March 1972 * Vietnam CEASE-FIRE, 30 March 1972—28 January 1973 3. DAGO 8, 1974, announced award of the RVN Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm for service in Vietnam to Headquarters, United States Military Assistance Command and its subordinate units during the period 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973 and Headquarters, United States Army Vietnam and its subordinate units during the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973. 4. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect at the time, prescribed the separation documents 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 instructions stated to list awards and decorations for all periods of service. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220009608 1 1