IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE:  25 October 2022

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220002460


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from 
Active Duty) to show:

*	recognition of service performed in Germany
*	he served during the Vietnam Era
*	any additional awards or decorations

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214, for the period ending 23 September 1974

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:

	a.  He was deployed with the 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, along 
the East German border. They were in constant contact with East German and Russian 
troops. Their living quarters were living 30 days at Kaserne barracks and 30 days on the 
border.

	b.  He would like his DD Form 214 to show he is a Vietnam Era Veteran. He was told 
at the time that they would get special recognition for there duty in support of those 
serving in Vietnam. His DD Form 214 is the simplest one he has ever seen with no 
details. He has also been told that it appears to indicate that he served only in the U.S. 
Army Reserve (USAR).

	c.  Florida has special recognition license plates for both Vietnam Combat Veterans 
and Vietnam War Veterans. He knows he is not entitled to the combat veterans' plates 
and because his DD Form 214 is so simplified he can't get the other ones. Additionally, 
there may be medals to which he is entitled that are not on his DD Form 214.

3.  The available record contains only a copy of the applicant's DD Form 214 and 
DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record).

4.  The applicant was inducted in the Army of the United States and entered active duty 
on 2 October 1972, for a period of 2 years. He served in the military occupational 
specialty 11D (Armor Reconnaissance Specialist). The highest rank/grade he held was 
specialist four/E-4.

6.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows, following completion of 
training, he served in Germany from 23 February 1973 to 21 September 1974. 

7.  The applicant's DA Form 20 does not indicate that he served in the Republic of 
Vietnam, or any additional awards or decorations.

8.  The DD Form 214 of record shows the applicant was honorably released from active 
duty on 23 September 1974 and transferred to the USAR Control Group for completion 
of Reserve service obligation. He was credited with completing 1 year, 11 months, and 
22 days of net active service this period.  His DD Form 214 shows in:

*	Block 18f (Foreign and/or Sea Service), 1 year and 7 months of foreign service, 
continued in Block 27 (Remarks) to indicate U.S. Army Europe
*	Block 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and 
Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized): National Defense Service Medal, 
Expert Marksman Qualification Badge with M-60 and Hand Grenade Bars, and 
Sharpshooter Marksman Qualification Badge with Rifle bar (M-16)

9.  In accordance with regulatory guidance, the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the 
Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service. It provides a brief, clear-cut 
record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or 
discharge. The regulation in effect at the time:

*	did not provide for the identification of the country where the overseas service 
was performed
*	did not provide a special entry or recognition as a Vietnam Era Veteran

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within 
the military record, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The applicant’s 
contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The 
Board noted the applicant completed 1 year and 7 months of foreign service in Europe. 
His DD Form 214 correctly reflects this foreign service in Block 18f (Foreign and/or Sea 
Service). Additionally, his DD Form 214 listed all the awards that are shown on his DA 
Form 20. There is no evidence in the record, and he provides none to show he qualified 
for any additional awards. Finally, the Board found no evidence the applicant served in 
Vietnam. In accordance with regulatory guidance, the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the 
Soldier's most recent period of continuous active service. The regulation in effect at the 
time did not provide a special entry or recognition as a Vietnam Era Veteran. 

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:X	:X	:X	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.

		  
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, 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 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy 
for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The DD Form 214 is a summary of the 
Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut 
record of all current active, prior active, and prior inactive duty service at the time of 
REFRAD, retirement, or discharge. The purpose of the separation document is to 
provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service.  Chapter 
2 of the regulation in effect at the time, contained guidance on the preparation of the DD 
Form 214 and stated that item 22f shows the total active duty outside the continental 
limits of the United States for the period covered by the DD Form 214 and the last 
overseas theater service was performed, e.g., USAREUR [U.S. Army Europe].  

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20220002460


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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