IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 17 July 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080007559 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, that the narrative on his Bronze Star Medal (BSM) certificate be corrected to show he was an aircraft mechanic. 2. The applicant states, in effect, his name is Sergeant P*** E. R**d and he was a utility helicopter repairer. There was a Staff Sergeant P*** V. R**d in his unit who was an avionic mechanic. When the applicant was awarded the BSM for his service during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), the unit clerk placed Staff Sergeant R**d's BSM narrative on his award certificate. 3. The applicant provides: a. A copy of his BSM certificate, Permanent Orders 274-08, Headquarters, 377th Theater Support Command, Iraq, dated 1 October 2003. This states he was an avionic and weapons system repairer. b. A copy of the narrative recommendation for award of his BSM. This clearly states he was a UH-60 Blackhawk Repairer. c. A copy of DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award). CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant was a sergeant in the Mississippi Army National Guard (MSARNG) assigned to the 1108th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot (AVCRAD), Gulfport, Mississippi. He was ordered to active duty in support of OIF and served from 3 February 2003 to 3 November 2005 with the 1109th AVCRAD, Groton, Connecticut, in Kuwait and Iraq. 2. The applicant received the BSM for the period 8 March 2003 to 1 August 2003. The narrative on his BSM certificate reads, The Bronze Star Medal is awarded: To Sergeant P*** E. R**d, 1108th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot, for exceptionally meritorious service while serving as an avionic and weapons system repairer during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. After an extremely arduous march of over 325 miles in four days during combat conditions, Sergeant R**d's small team returned 31 heavily battle-damaged aircraft into battle. Sergeant R**d's courage and devotion to duty reflect distinct credit upon himself, the Coalition Forces Land Component Command and the United States Army. The Certificate is signed by the Commanding General, 377th Theater Support Command and reflects Permanent Orders 274-08, dated 1 October 2003. 3. A review of the applicant's Integrated Personnel Electronic Records Management (iPERMS) file shows that the BSM Certificate is properly filed; however, the Proposed Citation for Award of the Bronze Star on file with the Certificate does not belong to the applicant, but belongs to Staff Sergeant P*** V. R**d. 4. Further review of the applicant's iPERMS file shows: a. He held military occupational specialty (MOS) 67N (Utility Helicopter Repairer). This MOS has been re-designated as MOS 15M. b. His DA Form 2166-8 (NCO Evaluation Report) for the period 2004/12 through 2005/11 – the period of his service in Kuwait and Iraq – shows his duty MOS as 67N, but his daily duties are described, in part, as "...Repairs, replaces and performs operational and preventive checks and alignments on aircraft flight controls, stabilization systems, and avionics and controlled cryptographic equipment [emphasis added]." 5. A review of the iPERMS file belonging to Staff Sergeant P*** V. R**d shows he, too, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal while serving with 1109th AVCRAD, 377th Theater Support Command, from 12 December 2002 to 1 August 2003. His narrative reads, The Bronze Star Medal is awarded: To Staff Sergeant P*** V. R**d, 1109th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot, for exceptionally meritorious service while serving as the avionic and weapons system repairer during Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Staff Sergeant R**d distinguished himself in the initial days of the war by marching his team over 325 miles in four days and returning 31 heavily battle-damaged aircraft within 20 days. Staff Sergeant R**d's exemplary performance reflects distinct credit upon himself, the Coalition Forces Land Component Command and the United States Army. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant states, in effect, his BSM Certificate does not reflect his correct duty MOS because the narrative actually belongs to another Soldier, Staff Sergeant P*** V. R**d. He would like the narrative changed. 2. A review of the applicant's BSM narrative and Staff Sergeant R**d's BSM narrative show that they are similar, but not the same. It would appear that the applicant and Staff Sergeant R**d both performed the same mission, that is marching 325 miles with a small team and repairing 31 damaged helicopters. Given this fact, it is logical their award narratives would read similarly. 3. The applicant, indeed, was a 67N (Utility Helicopter Repairer); however his NCO Evaluation Report for his service in Kuwait and Iraq indicates he also performed avionics repair. Given this fact, there is no evidence his BSM certificate is in error. 4. Review of the applicant's iPERMS file did show that a document was incorrectly filed therein. The Proposed Citation for Award of the Bronze Star on file with the applicant's BSM certificate belongs to Staff Sergeant P*** V. R**d. This document should be removed from the applicant's iPERMS file upon the request of the applicant. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING __xxx___ __xxx___ __xxx___ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. XXX _________________________ CHAIRPERSON 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. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080007559 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080007559 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1