| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O'Connor | Chairperson | |
| Mr. John P. Infante | Member | |
| Ms. Eloise C. Prendergast | Member |
2. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Army Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star Medal.
3. The applicant states that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal while in serving Vietnam and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal after he departed from Vietnam. In support of his application, he submits a letter, dated 18 September 2002, from the Veterans Affairs Office in Abbeville County, South Carolina and an award certificate and citation for the Army Commendation Medal.
4. The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 4 December 1967. He served as a communications lineman in Vietnam from 10 May 1968 through 9 May 1969 and was released from active duty on 3 December 1969.
5. The applicant's DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Army Commendation Medal or the Bronze Star Medal as authorized awards.
6. II Field Force Vietnam General Orders Number 1126, dated 11 May 1969, show the applicant received the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service during the period May 1968 to May 1969.
7. There are no orders for the Bronze Star Medal in the applicant's service personnel records.
8. The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show entitlement to the Bronze Star Medal.
9. A search of the historical files of Company A, 53rd Signal Battalion located at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, failed to identify the applicant as being entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal.
10. The applicant's DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award. His records show that he participated in four campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam; however, his DD Form 214 does not show entitlement to four bronze service stars for this campaign participation.
11. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This document shows the unit, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 1 July 1967 to 30 June 1968 by Department of the Army General Orders
Number 56, dated 1969. The applicant’s unit was also cited for the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 1 July 1968 to 31 December 1969 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 48, dated 1971. These unit awards are not shown on the applicant's DD Form 214.
12. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 8, dated 1974. This award is not shown on his DD Form 214.
13. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, 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. Recommendations must be made within 2 years of the event or period of service and the award must be made within 3 years.
14. Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant received the Army Commendation Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this medal.
2. The Board considered the applicant's contention that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal after he departed from Vietnam. However, the applicant has provided no evidence to support this contention.
3. There is no evidence of record available to the Board which shows the applicant was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Therefore, the Board determined that there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Bronze Star Medal in this case.
4. The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award. However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in four campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam which are not correctly shown by award of four bronze service stars for wear on his Vietnam Service Medal. Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, the applicant is entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars and correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.
5. The applicant's unit received two awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation while he was assigned to it. Therefore, the applicant's DD Form 214 should be corrected to show these unit awards.
6. In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, two awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.
2. That so much of the application as pertains to the Bronze Star Medal be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
RVO___ JPI_____ ECP_____ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
_Raymond V. O'Connor_________
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2002080325 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20030612 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0020 |
| 2. | 107.0014 |
| 3. | 107.0000 |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090008722
There is no evidence the applicant received the first award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. Although the applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 to show four awards of the Army Commendation Medals, evidence of record shows he received only three awards of the Army Commendation Medal, of which two were for valor. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from item 24 of his DD Form 214 the Army...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090010997
Item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant's DD Form 214, effective 6 January 1967, does not show awards of the Bronze Star Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, or the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal or any Army Commendation Medals. As a...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002080486C070215
There are no orders available to the Board which authorize award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation to the applicant. However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in four campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam which are not correctly shown by award of four bronze service stars for wear on his Vietnam Service Medal. Orders show the applicant was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080015819
IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 13 January 2009 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080015819 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests that his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show his award of the Bronze Star Medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing that, in addition to the awards listed on the DD Form 214, he is also authorized the Bronze Star Medal, two...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100020261
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to reflect all awards, citations, and medals earned during his active service from April 1966 to June 1969. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from item 24 of his DD Form 214 the Vietnam Service Medal and b. adding to item 24 of his DD Form 214 the: * Bronze Star Medal * Army Commendation Medal * Vietnam...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080019483
Records show the applicant was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. The applicant is therefore entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal (First Award), for the period 29 November 1967 to 2 September 1969 and to have it added to his DD Form 214. As such, under the provisions of the Army Regulation 600-8-22, which preclude awards for the same period and in the absence of orders confirming the award, there is insufficient evidence for the Board to correct the applicants records to show...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100025346
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 he was issued at the time shows the: *...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110020143
This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicants 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. The DD Form 214 he was issued at the time shows his awards as the: * Bronze Star Medal * Army Commendation Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Combat...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140014030
GO Number 1905, issued by Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam on 27 May 1969, awarded him the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service from June 1968 to June 1969. The evidence of record shows he participated in four campaigns during his service in Vietnam. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 as follows: a. adding the entry "USARPAC" to item 22c; b. adding to item 24: * Bronze Star...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140006495
GO awarded the applicant the Army Commendation Medal with 2nd OLC and Bronze Star Medal during his period of service in Vietnam. The evidence of records shows he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings during his period of active service, attained the rank of pay grade E-4, and served in Vietnam earning the Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star Medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a....