IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	    8 September 2011

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100029980 


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 reconsideration of his request to add the Bronze Star Medal to his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge).

2.  The applicant states he was awarded the medal by a lieutenant colonel, the Assistant Chief of Staff for whom he worked on a regular basis.

3.  The applicant provides color photocopies of the award elements for the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service from June 1971 to March 1972.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20100011416 on 9 November 2010.

2.  The documents provided by the applicant are new evidence that will be considered by the Board.

3.  The applicant was inducted and served in Vietnam from 26 June 1971 to 28 March 1972.  On 28 March 1972, he was separated early as an overseas returnee.

4.  The original case awarded him the Good Conduct Medal and updated his other Vietnam era awards.  However, the Bronze Star Medal was not added to his list of authorized awards based solely upon the existence of a certificate and a citation.

5.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, or while engaged n military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  

6.  A retired officer, Colonel Kenneth R. T____, who served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Engineer Support Command called the analyst to explain that he well remembered the applicant.  Although he had kept copies of thousands of documents, he did not find anything relating to this award.  Nevertheless, he remembers depending upon the applicant to complete many diverse projects.  He not only made the award presentation but also submitted the initial recommendation.  He asked that the Board add this Bronze Star Medal to the applicant's DD Form 214.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The information from Colonel T____ confirms that the Bronze Star Medal was properly awarded to the applicant.  The close proximity in time of the end date of the award and the applicant's departure from Vietnam and release from active duty (both occurred in March 1972) make it reasonable to presume that the orders never reached his permanent record.

2.  The Bronze Star Medal should be added to the awards listed on the applicant's DD Form 214.

BOARD VOTE:

___X____  __X____  ___X____  GRANT FULL RELIEF

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION



BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant amendment of the ABCMR’s decision in Docket Number AR20100011416, dated 9 November 2010.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the Bronze Star Medal to the list of authorized awards shown on the applicant's 28 March 1972 DD Form 214.



      ___________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)                                         AR20100029980





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100029980



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