IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 July 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100029969 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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Bronze Star Medal. 2. The applicant states the Bronze Star Medal is not shown in his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides a copy of his Bronze Star Medal Certificate, dated 28 October 1970. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (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. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant's records show he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 20 January 1969. He was honorably released from active duty on 9 October 1970 and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training). 3. He served in the Republic of Vietnam from on or about 13 October 1969 to on or about 12 October 1970. During his tour he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Ordnance Company (Ammunition) (Direct Support) and the 148th Ordnance Company (Direct Support/General Support).1st Brigade, 101st Air Cavalry Division. 4. Item 24 of his DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal. 5. The applicant's records do not contain general orders awarding him the Bronze Star Medal. 6. During the processing of this case, a member of the Board staff reviewed the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the United States Army Human Resources Command, which is an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973. This review failed to reveal any Bronze Star Medal orders on file for the applicant. 7. The applicant submitted a copy of a Bronze Star Medal certificate, for the period 1 October 1969 through 31 October 1970, dated 28 October 1970. 8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant requests his DD Form 214 be corrected to show award of the Bronze Star Medal. 2. There is no evidence in the available records of award of the Bronze Star Medal other than the copies of the certificate submitted by the applicant. The governing Army regulation states for personal decorations, formal recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and announcement of orders are required for award of the Bronze Star Medal. In the absence of orders, regrettably, there is insufficient evidence to add the Bronze Star Medal to his DD Form 214. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___X___ ___X____ ____X___ 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. __________X______________ 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) AR20100029969 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100029969 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1