2. The applicant requests that he be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) with V device for valor in Vietnam in 1967.
3. He states that his former commander recommended him for the BSM with V for his actions in Vietnam. In support of his request, he provides a copy of an award recommendation for the BSM with V prepared on 31 January 1994 by his former commander (then captain now a colonel) together with eyewitness statements supporting the award recommendation.
4. His military record shows that he was inducted on 22 June 1967 and was trained as a light weapons infantryman. He was honorably discharged in pay grade E-5 on 20 June 1969. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Air Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
5. He arrived in Vietnam on 22 November 1967 and was assigned to an infantry unit as a rifleman in the 1st Cavalry Division. On 7 December 1967 he participated in a combat assault during which he exposed himself to hostile fire at the risk of his own life while providing covering fire to protect the medical aidman who was administering to the wounded. He also assisted in evacuating soldiers who were wounded or killed during the action.
6. His commanders statement contains no reasons why the award recommendation was not submitted immediately following the action described. He speculates, however, that it may have been submitted but was inadvertently not acted upon. The commander subsequently departed Vietnam (several months before the applicant) and had no occasion to determine the status of the award recommendation.
7. Army Regulation 600-22-8, Military Awards, provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent
party. A V device is worn on the suspension ribbon to denote participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The award recommendation and the supporting eyewitness statements describe an event that occurred in a time frame and with an organization that are consistent with the applicants assignment in Vietnam. There is little other evidence available to verify the events portrayed in the recommendation.
2. Nonetheless the eyewitness statements of the applicants valor appear to be a factual account by witnesses who had personal knowledge of and also participated in the event described.
3. Notwithstanding the tardiness of the recommendation, it seems to be nothing more than an honest effort to redress a long-standing omission and recognize a deserving soldier.
4. In view of the foregoing, the applicants records should be corrected as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the BSM with V device for valor in Vietnam.
BOARD VOTE:
GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
DENY APPLICATION
CHAIRPERSON
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