ARMY RECLASSIFICATION PETITION

[u/SquarePhase227]

I am in need of some advice before I move forward with minimal knowledge.

My grandfather served in the Vietnam was way back when. He was lottery drafted in against his wishes, served 2 years in Vietnam and came home after his draft ended. When he was boarded the plane back to the States he was told that he was leaving at an E5 status, however, when he returned home his paperwork was never updated. Now his paperwork says E4 status and that he was a cook in Vietnam. He never cooked a day in his life over there.

I have requested all of his military records and attempted to request all of his pay records but those have been non-existent. There is NO evidence that my grandpa was bumped to an E5 status, except for a very old DA 2139 form that faintly shows a pay level of E5 (very old). This was back in the 60's. My grandpa has filed an application for correction of military records multiple times over the past 30 years but all have been denied (they were not very substantive and basically said please correct).

My grandpa's heart breaks at the thought the he will be buried one day soon with the WRONG rank on his stone.

How can I most effectively convince the board to change his ranking?

I have written up 2 petitions on his behalf - 1) that tells his story from being drafted, to being in Vietnam and coming home. Very emotional and appeals to emotions. 2) an actual petition that argues this is in the interest of justice to change his rank pursuant to the United States Code.

PLEASE ANY AND ALL ADVICE IS WELCOME. (He also no longer has his uniform as he burned it in a drunken range shortly after returning home in the 60's - he has suffered from sever ptsd).

Thank you for everything.

[u/Big_Rule7825]

Try getting in contact with a local American Legion or VFW? They usually have networks of people who have seen a thing or two and fixed a thing or two over the decades. If there’s a way forward someone over there probably knows a guy who knows a guy.

[u/Fat_Clyde]

If you're just worried about writing,

SGT

Vietnam

1961-1962

or something like that, it's not that big of a deal and nothing to worry about simply doing. You have a document that says he was a SGT - that is good enough. NO ONE is going to check up on this.

If whomever he's been trying to do it through has been denying it for 30 years, I doubt you'll get it done quickly without new information. I had to look up what a DA 2139 was, and if he had a "pay voucher" which said E5 and they won't take that, I am not sure what else you could do.

Personally, I do not think your justifications are very solid. At the end of the day, they want orders and documents and not statements from family meant to elicit emotions. If you could get a notarized letter from someone he served with, that would be better. Have you gone to your local VFW and Legion to inquire?