| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Jessie B. Strickland | Analyst |
| Mr. Fred N. Eichorn | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Thomas A. Pagan | Member | |
| Mr. Harry B. Oberg | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: In two separate applications that he be awarded the “V” Device on his award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) and that the BSM be added to his report of separation (DD Form 214).
APPLICANT STATES: That he was called to duty for his country and spent 11 months and 24 days in Vietnam. He goes on to state that he believes he should receive the “V” device on his BSM because he fought for his country. He also states that the award of the BSM was never added to his DD Form 214.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He was inducted at St. Louis, Missouri on 30 September 1966. He successfully completed his training and was transferred to Vietnam on 23 March 1967 for duty as a personnel carrier driver.
On 14 March 1968, he was awarded the BSM for meritorious service for the period of March 1967 to March 1968. There is no indication in the available records to show that he was ever recommended for a valor award.
He departed Vietnam on 16 March 1968 and was transferred to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he remained until he was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) on 1 July 1968, for the purpose of attending college. He had served 1 year, 9 months and 2 days of total active service and was also awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal for his service in Vietnam.
His DD Form 214, issued at the time of his REFRAD did not contain his award of the BSM; however, on 26 January 1998, officials at the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, corrected his DD Form 214 by adding the award of his BSM and issuing a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214).
Army Regulation 672-5-1, the regulation in effect at the time, provides, in pertinent part, that the BSM is awarded for heroism and/or for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy. The “V” device is worn on the BSM to denote those awards of the BSM awarded for participation in acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy. Individuals must be recommended and approved for such awards by the appropriate authority.
DISCUSSION: Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:
1. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.
2. The applicant’s award of the BSM was for meritorious service in Vietnam during the duration of his tour in that country and was not for a specific act of heroism. In the absence of evidence to show that he was recommended and approved for such an award, there is no basis to award him a “V” device for the BSM.
3. The applicant’s contention that his award of the BSM was never added to his DD Form 214 appears to be without merit. A DD Form 215 was issued in 1998 and it appears that the applicant’s copy was mailed to his last known address. However, the staff of the Board has forwarded another copy of that document to the applicant. Accordingly, there is no basis to further correct his DD Form 214.
4. In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.
DETERMINATION: The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
___fe ___ __hbo___ ___tsp___ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001059617 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 2001/12/06 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. 46 | 107.0000/”v” DEVICE |
| 2. 189 | 109.0000/215 |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040002949C070208
The applicant requests, in effect, that his record be corrected to show award of the Purple Heart (PH), the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) with "V" Device and any additional awards he is authorized. On 4 January 2000, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), St. Louis, Missouri corrected the applicant's record and issued him a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) to show award of the PH for wounds received in action on 22 February 1968. The available evidence shows it would be appropriate...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120001614
The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) to show the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) with "V" Device (2nd Award) instead of the BSM with "V" Device. The applicant served in Vietnam during a qualifying period; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 3 December 1968 to show this unit award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001057952C070420
This document shows the unit to which the applicant was assigned was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for the period 5 May 1965-4 May 1967 by Department of the Army General Order Number 48, dated 1968. The applicant was awarded the BSM with "V" Device by General Orders Number 691, Headquarters, 173 rd Airborne Brigade (Separate), dated 24 April 1967; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. RECOMMENDATION: That all of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002078603C070215
The citation for award of the BSM submitted by the applicant is consistent with the Americal Division's standard citation for award of the BSM for meritorious service during the period. The applicant is also entitled to have his DD Form 214 corrected to show award of the GCMDL for his honorable period of service from 27 September 1967-29 July 1969, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge, and 4 BSS for wear on his VSM. That all of the Department of the Army...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040007981C070208
It states, in pertinent part, that a bronze service star is authorized with this award for each RVN campaign a member is credited with participating in. The evidence of record does show that based on his service and campaign participation in the RVN, the applicant is entitled to the MUC, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and 4 bronze service stars with his VSM. Therefore, the Board requests that the CMSD-St. Louis administratively correct the records of the individual concerned...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001059165C070421
The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army for 2 years on 22 July 1968 in order to attend Officer Candidate School (OCS). The applicant's DD Form 214 does not show this award as an authorized award because it was awarded to his unit after he had been discharged. Although award of the BSM must be announced in orders and no orders are available in this case, the Board, as an exception to policy, authorizes the applicant's BSM to be shown on his DD Form 214.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003088418C070403
The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Evidence of record also shows the applicant is entitled to award of two Overseas Service Bars, and the Good Conduct Medal for the period 24 January 1968 to 31 December 1969. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing he was awarded the PH, the BSM with Oak Leaf Cluster and V Device, two Overseas Service...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050002200C070206
The applicant contends that his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show award of the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device because he received the award while serving in Vietnam, but it is not on shown on his discharge document that was issued at the time of his retirement from the U.S. Army on 31 December 1986. Evidence of record shows that the applicant's DD Form 214 was corrected to show award of the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device on 26 January 2005. Evidence shows that the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003088316C070212
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 11 March 2004 DOCKET NUMBER: AR2003088316 I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. The applicant requests that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show: that he is known by a different name and gender; that he was awarded the Bronze...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040003238C070208
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 March 2005 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20040003238 I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. It states, in pertinent part, that a bronze service star is authorized with this award for each RVN campaign a member is credited with participating in while serving in the RVN. Therefore, it would be appropriate to...