Army commendation

[KC1BUD]

I have a question. While in Vietnam I was awarded the Army commendation medal twice. The second symbolized with the oak leaf cluster. But my DD214 only shows 1. Is there any way to find out about the other award? I asked for my medals and they only mentioned one and only sent one. I also don't remember if I got any medals in the while in the Navy, and there was no mention of my Navy service at the time I got my awards from the VA.

I would sure love to find out the answers to this.

[Doggy Daddy]

Welcome home and thank you for serving.
Contact your local County Veterans Service Office. Some VFWs and American Legions also have Veterans Service Officers. You also find them at VA Hospitals and VA Clinics. They have the knowledge and forms to assist you in requesting a copy of your military personnel records from all the branches of service you were in. Searches for specific awards can also be done. Once the missing award(s) is confirmed, then a Request for Correction of DD Form 214 is submitted and a DD Form 215 (CORRECTION) is issued.
While your at the Veterans Service Office, ask them to request your medical records for an evaluation to see if your eligible to submit a claim for disability. It is all tax free and a military entitlement.

[KC1BUD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doggy Daddy While your at the Veterans Service Office, ask them to request your medical records for an evaluation to see if your eligible to submit a claim for disability. It is all tax free and a military entitlement.

The irony is I injured my back as a Combat Engineer and never went on sick call in Nam for it. I left Nam with orders for Germany I got as far as Ft Dix where my orders were changed to Ft Belvoir.

While waiting for the change in orders, I was mopping the floor and re-injured it. I went on to the hospital at Ft Dix during the ride up to the hospital in a base taxi the driver kept insinuating I was only trying to get out of duty. By the time I got to the hospital I was so mad between that and the wait of over 2 hours that I had an elevated temp along with the spasms and they wanted to hospitalize me over night for observation.

I pled with the doctor not to put me in the hospital because it would mess with my chance at getting good orders. He relented and gave me great meds and a paper with his findings on it and told me he didn't have access to my medical records and that when I got to my next duty station that I was to have that file put in my records. Of course, by the time I had gotten back to Ft Belvior, my back felt good as new and I forgot all about getting the paper entered in to my records.

Up until 20 years ago I could still lay my hands on the paper, now I haven't a clue what happened to it. No offense meant to other young 18 and 19 year olds but the biggest thing they and I lacked back then was common sense. At that age we think we are indestructible.

Because of my back I am now according to SS 100% disabled and retired medically from my job.

[Ray,IN]

http://vets.yuku.com/ is a great resource for any military question. I think one of the website founders is a former VA district manager. If you know someone who witnessed your injury, witness statements are valid conformation.
Persistance pays when dealing with VA, don't accept no for an answer.

[KC1BUD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN http://vets.yuku.com/ is a great resource for any military question. I think one of the website founders is a former VA district manager. If you know someone who witnessed your injury, witness statements are valid conformation. Persistance pays when dealing with VA, don't accept no for an answer.

After 38 years it is amazing I remember what I do. I remember a guy and I walking and I had to stop walking and turn my whole body in order to look at him. He knew what I did and saw its effects. But I can't remember his name. As to the actual event I had no witnesses. Just lifted a tire wrong changing a flat on my 5 ton bridge truck, not even a heroic injury.

[MilVet]

You could download an SF180, Request for SMRs, medals, awards, etc., complete it and send it to the appropriate address on the form depending on your military service. The form will likely end up at NPRC in St. Louis (Nat'l Processing Records Center) and in about 6 months you'll receive all the info you requested.

[KC1BUD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilVet You could download an SF180, Request for SMRs, medals, awards, etc., complete it and send it to the appropriate address on the form depending on your military service. The form will likely end up at NPRC in St. Louis (Nat'l Processing Records Center) and in about 6 months you'll receive all the info you requested.

Did that and they only sent what was on my Army 214. But I did recieve a second award of the Commendation even though it doesn't show on my 214.

[yogi154]

KC1BUD
I did the same thing but the second time I asked for a complete DD214 with Medals and Awards. This one takes longer to get but does have all awards. I filled out the form on the internet , printed , signed and faxed in

Good Luck & Welcome Home!!!!

Wayne

[Ray,IN]

The individual must complete SF 180 http://www.veteranaid.org/docs/standard-form-180.pdf You may complete the pdf form, download it, then mail it to the proper address to obtain personnel and/or medical records. If anyone else submits the request form for your records, privacy laws dictate a power-of-attorney must be completed and submitted with the request. This substantially slows the process.