IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE: 8 February 2023

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220006782


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to reflect his Army Commendation Medal.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) certificate and citation


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 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 effect, there was an administrative error because his 
ARCOM was not reflected on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant provides:

   a.	An ARCOM certificate and citation, dated 27 March 1969 for meritorious service 
in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, 
during the period April 1968 to March 1969.

   b.	DD Form 214 shows he was honorably transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve 
(USAR) on 17 October 1969, under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200 
(Personnel Separations – Enlisted Personnel), separation program number (SPN) 201, 
expiration of term of service.  He served 2 years of net service this period.  Item 24 
(Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or 
Authorized) shows: 



*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Vietnam Service Medal
*	Vietnam Campaign Medal, with 60 device 
*	Air Medal
*	Purple Heart
*	2 Overseas Bars
*	Combat Infantryman’s Badge (1st Award)
*	Expert (Rifle)

4.  A review of the applicant’s service record shows:

a.	He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 18 October 1967.

   b.	He was honorably transferred to USAR Control Group on 17 October 1969, after 
serving 2 years of net service this period.  

5.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation 
documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, release from 
active-duty service, or control of the Active Army.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within 
the military record, 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 applicant’s petition and available military records Board 
determined there was sufficient evidence to support correction to the applicant’s 
DD Form 214 to annotate his Army Commendation Medal on his DD Form 214.  During 
deliberation, the Board found the applicant’s records were absent awards earned during 
his period of service in the Republic of Vietnam.  Based on this, the Board granted relief 
to correct the applicant’ s DD Form 214 by adding his Army Commendation Medal and 
awarding him the Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV, Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase 
V, Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross 
with Palm Unit Citation. 

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:

The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a 
recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of 
Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 
by awarding him the:

*	Army Commendation Medal
*	Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV
*	Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V
*	Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI 
*	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation

*	Delete- Vietnam Service Medal 
*	Add – Vietnam Service Medal w/ 3 bronze stars


	 
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) prescribes the separation 
documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, release from 
active-duty service, or control of the Active Army.  Paragraph 2–1 (Preparing the DD 
Form 214) states, the DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier’s most recent period of 
continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active-duty service at the 
time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge.  

   a.	Paragraph 2-1 states, Personnel officers will prepare and authenticate DD Form 
214WS (Worksheet) prior lo forwarding records to the transfer facility.  All available 
records will be used as a basis for the preparation of DD Form 214WS, including DA 
Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), DA Form 66 (Officer Qualification Record), and 
orders.

   b.	Paragraph 2-41 (Item 24) states, enter from section 9, DA Form 20 (Enlisted 
Qualification Record) all decorations. service medals, campaign credits, and badges 
awarded or authorized omitting authorities cited therein.


//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20220006782


1
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1