mithridate Posted July 7, 2022 Share #1 Posted July 7, 2022 I'm gathering information in order to create a shadowbox of the medals/ribbons my uncle would be entitled to based on his service. I'm not worried about being necessarily era-correct/true to what he would have worn/been immediately awarded posthumously, as I'll be creating it with today's knowledge and materials. I'd appreciate any feedback anyone may have. Background Enlisted April 19, 1965 Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Platoon 125; finished July 8, 1965 0351 (“Anti-tank Assault Man,” most recently Assault Marine) 9-week basic, then ~4-month infantry, MOS, staging = deployed around late Oct/early Nov? III MEF / 1st_Marine_Division / 3rd_Battalion,_1st_Marines / M Co (III MEF named something else back then; 3/1 opcon to 3rd Mar Div beginning May 22) KIA May 10, 1966 (Quảng Tín Province) Based on the above information and the cited sources, I believe he'd be eligible for the following: Bronze Star (saw it decades ago at home with PH) Purple Heart (saw it decades ago at home with BS) Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively) (see SECNAV M-1650.1, pg 266) Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation (see The 1st Marine Division and its Regiments) Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (see SECNAV M-1650.1, pg 186) National Defense Service Medal (see authorized periods) Vietnam Service Medal w/ two bronze 3/16” stars (see MCO 1020.34H; Campaign Phases) Vietnam Gallantry Cross unit w/ palm & frame (see SECNAVINST 1650.1H, pg 195; TIOH) Vietnam Civil Actions Medal unit w/ palm & frame (see SECNAVINST 1650.1H, pg 195) Vietnam Campaign Medal w/ 1960/60- (cite 1, Federal Register) SECNAV M-1650.1 - https://www.secnav.navy.mil/doni/SECNAV Manuals1/1650.1.pdf SECNAVINST 1650.1H - https://www.quantico.marines.mil/Portals/147/AWARDSMANUAL.pdf MCO 1020.34H - https://www.marines.mil/portals/1/Publications/MCO 1020.34H v2.pdf?ver=2018-06-26-094038-137 The 1st Marine Division and its Regiments - https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/The 1st Marine Division and its Regiments PCN 19000314800.pdf NDSM authorized periods https://prhome.defense.gov/Portals/52/Documents/RFM/MPP/OEPM/Docs/NDSM Authorized Conflicts.pdf Campaign Phases - https://prhome.defense.gov/Portals/52/Documents/RFM/MPP/OEPM/Docs/VSM - Approved Campaign Phases.pdf TIOH - https://tioh.army.mil/Catalog/Heraldry.aspx?HeraldryId=15473&CategoryId=9399&grp=12 Federal Register - https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1966-07-30/pdf/FR-1966-07-30.pdf VCM cite 1 - https://awards.navy.mil/awards/webapp01.nsf/(vwAwardsDisp)/AW-10052085N5XE Ineligible for: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal because it auto-converts to Vietnam Service Medal? Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal (not auth’d campaign; actual campaign medal exists) Overseas Service Ribbon (SECNAV M-1650.1, pg 203) Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation (SECNAVINST 1650.1H, pg 195) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted July 7, 2022 Share #2 Posted July 7, 2022 Wow, that’a a lot of information. But please be aware that just because someone is eligible for an award doesn’t mean it was awarded. In our flawed military awards system all too often medals that should have been awarded are not. That is especially so for enlisted personnel. Again, it’a not right, but that is the reality. Best resource as a starting point is his DD-214. On another thread you asked whether he would have been awarded a BSM for meritorious service. Again, the DD-214 should give you an excellent starting point on that. But, in general, it would be relatively rare for a LCPL to be awarded a BSM for merit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mithridate Posted July 7, 2022 Author Share #3 Posted July 7, 2022 Thanks for the response! I wholeheartedly understand and agree with awarded vs eligible/entitled to. Generally speaking, Guard units (at least all the ones I am familiar with) are notoriously bad at awarding proper recognition. Consequently, I correct records for people around me as a passion project. I research the proper justification, write up an AF Form 104, get a commander's sig, and submit (have done about a 100 of these). Sometimes I skip to the chase, and try our luck directly with the online AF Personnel Center portal (it's worked several times). While my uncle's DD-214 will point to what was actually awarded (in '66), I'm trying to figure out what a subsequent DD-215 (in this fantastical, ideal world I'm conjuring up) would legitimately contain were I to submit a DD-149 (Request Correction of Military Records), supported by personnel records, regulations, etc. That's why I'm trying to vet my reading of the regs and the era. I'd never try to pass it off as what he was actually awarded, but rather as what he eventually would have been able to get his records corrected to, and been able to wear, had he lived to see the day. As far as the BSM goes, without anything to back me up on this, I'm guessing it's was more of a prevailing DoD policy as a gesture of kindness towards a grieving family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobra 6 Actual Posted July 8, 2022 Share #4 Posted July 8, 2022 Ah, I understand better what you’re trying to accomplish. Thanks for the clarification. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mithridate Posted July 23, 2022 Author Share #5 Posted July 23, 2022 The Q's up front: - Aside from the explicitly mentioned medals below, is it reasonable to state that service member would be eligible for (and the records would be updated to reflect as much today if requested) the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon? - USMC Presidential Unit Citation as well as the unit versions of the VN Gallantry Cross and VN Civil Actions Medal given the dates, location and unit of assignment? - Am I missing anything? Mahalo! Attila Background: Nothing but high praise for the online records request/issuance process, which was quick and easy. I requested records online and received them 7 business days later here in Hawai'i. Req'd uncle's DD214 on my father's (next-of-kin) behalf. Their response: Thank you for contacting the National Personnel Records Center. DD Form 214, Report of Separation from Active Duty, is not issued when a service member dies while on active duty. We are furnishing a Report of Death/Report of Casualty, in lieu of the requested document. I received about 200 pages. Mostly pertaining to the dispute over the disposition of remains and SGLI benefits. I did find explicit award of the following: PH NDSM VSM Republic of Vietnam Campaign ribbon bar (note: guessing either typo or it wasn't issued as a medal for US svc mbrs yet) Military Merit Medal (VN) Gallantry Cross with Palm (VN) And I also have updated dates: 12-18 Apr 65 -- USMCR 19 Apr 65 - 10 May 66 -- USMC 2 Oct 65 -- embarked San Diego 17 Oct 65 -- disembarked Naha, Okinawa 12 Jan 66 -- embarked White Beach, Okinawa 17 Feb 66 -- disembarked Chu Lai RVN 1st Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines South China Sea 24 Jan - 17 Feb 66 -- Op Double Eagle (Phase I) Quang Ngai RVN 19-28 Feb 66 -- Op Double Eagle (Phase II) Tam Ky RVN 4-7 Mar 66 -- Op Utah Quang Ngai RVN 20-24 Mar 66 -- Op Texas Quang Ngai RVN 8 Apr 66 -- Op Iowa Tam Ky RVN 12-22 Apr 66 -- Op Hot Springs Quang Ngai RVN 10 May 66 -- KIA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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