IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 24 August 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220002198 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the U.S. Report of Transfer or Discharge), ending on 13 June 1967, to reflect the following: * Bronze Star Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * Add Light Weapons Infantryman to Education and Training Completed APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Personal Letter * Certificate of training Light Weapons Infantryman, dated 25 November 1964 * Special Orders Number 161, dated 11 June 1967 * DD Form 214, ending on 13 June 1967 * Bronze Star Medal Certificate * General Orders Number 4012, dated 8 August 1967 * Army Good Conduct Medal Award Excerpt 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 in pertinent part that his DD Form 214 is incorrect as it does not accurately reflect all authorized service medals, awards, and training. Additionally, he is requesting to be awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal because his date expected to return from overseas was curtailed prior to reaching 3-years. He served 2 years, 11 months, and 1 day and was unable to fulfill a full -year enlistment due to a Red Cross emergency leave directive received on 10 June 1967. 3. A review of the applicant's available service records reflects the following: a. On 13 July 1964, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army. b. DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) reflects the following: (1) Item 22 (Military Occupational Specialties (MOS)) shows he was awarded MOS 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman) on 27 November 1964. He was awarded the MOS 91B (Medical Specialist) on 17 December 1965. (2) Item 27 (Military Education) shows he completed Medical Corpsman for 8 Weeks in 1965, and Special Forces (SF) training 91B (Medical Specialist) for 44 weeks in 1965. (3) Item 38 (Record of Assignments) shows he served in Vietnam with D Company, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, from on or about 24 September 1966 to on or about 11 June 1967. c. On 13 June 1967, the applicant was honorably released from active duty. DD Form 214: (1) Item 22 (Statement of Service) reflects net service this period of 2 years, 11 months, and 1 day with foreign service of 8 months, and 25 days. (2) Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) reflects: * National Defense Service Medal * One Overseas Service Bar * Combat Medical Badge * Vietnam Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * Parachutist Badge (3) Item 25 (Education and Training) shows: * Medical Corpsman, 8 weeks, 1965 * Special Forces Training. 44 weeks, 1965 4. There is no evidence that the applicant received the first award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. There is also no evidence that the applicant was disqualified by his chain of command from receiving the Army Good Conduct Medal. Records do not reflect any disciplinary actions or lost time. Further, his records do not contain any adverse information. DA Form 20, item 38 shows he had all "excellent" for conduct and efficiency. 5. The applicant provides the following: a. Personal letter detailing his request for corrections to his DD Form 214. b. Certificate of training for Primary Military Occupational Specialty (PMOS) 11100 Light Weapons Infantryman, dated 25 November 1964, reflecting his completion of Light Weapons Infantryman training for military education. c. Special Orders Number 161 dated 11 June 1967, reflective of his reassignment from the Republic of Vietnam issued by 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. d. Bronze Star Medal Certificate dated 8 August 1967, for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam during the period of September 1966 to July 1967. e. General Orders Number 4012 dated 8 August 1967 awarding the applicant the Bronze Star Medal while assigned to 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces. f. Army Good Conduct Medal Award excerpt showing the history of the Army Good Conduct Medal. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was warranted. The applicant's contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records for historical purposes. The information in those records must reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. The Board determined there is sufficient evidence to grant relief by amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 13 June 1967 by adding: * Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – Army Good Conduct Medal * Item 25 (Education and Training) – Light Weapons Infantryman Course 2. Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the analyst of record administrative notes below, and recommended the corrections be 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 partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 13 June 1967 by adding: * Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – Army Good Conduct Medal * Item 25 (Education and Training) – Light Weapons Infantryman Course 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. Reference the enclosed request for correction of military records, correct the applicant's DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the U.S. Report of Transfer or Discharge), for the period ending June 10, 1967 by: a. Deleting the Vietnam Service Medal. b. Adding: * Bronze Star Medal * Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation 2. The following documents are sufficient to justify correction of the DD Form 214 without action by the Board. * DD Form 214 * General Orders Number 4012, dated 8 August 1967 * Department of the Army General Orders Number 8, dated 1974 3. Correct the applicant's DD Form 214 to add the information shown in paragraph 1a and b above. Provide the applicant with a copy of the corrections and the medals and citations, as applicable. Please record the corrections in the applicant's official military personnel record. REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, USC, 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 (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the Army Good Conduct Medal was established by Executive Order (EO) 8809, 28 June 1941 and was amended by EO 9323, 1943 and by EO 10444, 10 April 1953. It is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. It is awarded on a selective basis to each Soldier who distinguishes himself or herself from among his or her fellow Soldiers by exemplary conduct, efficiency, and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service, as outlined in this chapter. There is no right or entitlement to the medal until the immediate commander has approved the award and the award has been announced in Permanent Orders. a. Unit commanders are authorized to award the Army Good Conduct Medal to enlisted personnel serving under their command jurisdiction who meet the established criteria. b. After 27 June 1950, to the present time, the current standard for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal is 3 years of qualifying service, but as little as 1 year is required for the first award in those cases when the period of service ends with the termination of active enlisted Federal military service. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Army Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. c. The immediate unit commander's decision to award the Army Good Conduct Medal will be based on his or her personal knowledge of, and the individual's official records for periods of service under previous commanders during the period for which the award is to be made. The lack of official disqualifying comment by previous commanders does not disqualify use of the award period by the current commander for awarding the Army Good Conduct Medal. d. In terms of job performance, the Soldier's efficiency must be evaluated and must meet all requirements and expectations for that Soldier's grade, military occupational specialty, and experience. e. Disqualification for an award of the Army Good Conduct Medal can occur at any time during a qualifying period (for example, when manner of performance or efficiency declines). 3. AR 635-5 (Separation Documents) in effect at the time states list formal in-service (full-time attendance) training courses successfully completed during the period of service covered by the DD Form 214. (As an exception to full-time attendance, list Command and General Staff College and Senior Service Colleges completed by correspondence courses.) Include title, length in weeks, and year completed. This information is to assist the Soldier in job placement and counseling; therefore, do not list training courses for combat skills. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220002198 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1