| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Joseph A. Adriance | Analyst |
| Ms. Joann H. Langston | Chairperson | ||
| Ms. Regan K. Smith | Member | ||
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: In effect, that the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) with Valor (“V”) Device be added to the list of awards contained in his separation document
(DD Form 214).
APPLICANT STATES: In effect, that he received the BSM for heroism, but this award was not included in his DD Form 214. In support of his application, he provides extracts of two local newspaper articles that describe the action for which he claims to have won the award and the presentation ceremony at which he received the award.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
The applicant’s military records were not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed that the applicant’s records were lost in that fire.
There is a copy of the applicant’s DD Form 214 on file. This document confirms that the applicant entered active duty on 27 October 1950 and continuously served until being honorably separated on 9 August 1952. It also confirms that the most significant unit he served in was the 180th Infantry Regiment and that he served overseas for 1 year, 4 months, and 7 days.
Item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s DD Form 214 shows that he earned the following awards during his tenure on active duty: Army Occupation Medal-Japan; Korean Service Medal with 1 bronze service star; and United Nations Service Medal. The BSM is not included in this list of awards. The applicant authenticated this document with his signature, thereby verifying that the information contained therein, to include the list of awards, was correct at the time the document was prepared and issued.
The applicant provides a local newspaper article extract that indicates that members of the 180th Infantry Regiment were involved in two fights on one day. He provides a second extract that describes an award ceremony in Korea at which he was awarded the BSM for heroism.
In connection with the processing of this case, a member of the Board staff reviewed the historical files of the 180th Infantry Regiment that are maintained at the National Archives. This search failed to produce evidence showing that the applicant was ever recommended for or awarded the BSM with “V” Device.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy and criteria concerning individual military awards. Paragraph 3-13 of the awards regulation outlines the criteria for the award of the BSM. It states, in effect, that the BSM may be authorized to those members who while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States, distinguished themselves 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.
As a matter of information, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, the Government of the Republic of Korea issued the Korean War Service Medal to pay tribute to eligible Korean War veterans for their historic endeavors to preserve the freedom of the Republic of Korea and the free world. On 20 August 1999, the Department of Defense approved acceptance and wear of this foreign service award to eligible US veterans of the Korean War, or their surviving next of kin. The medal is provided at no cost to veterans. The Department of Defense assigned responsibility to the Department of the
Air Force for distribution of the Korean War Service Medal to eligible veterans or their surviving next of kin.
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. The Board notes the applicant’s contention that he received the BSM with “V” Device and its omission from his separation document was the result of an administrative error. However, it finds insufficient evidence to support this claim.
2. The Board carefully considered the newspaper article extracts submitted by the applicant. However, there is no official record or third party witness corroboration that confirms he was awarded the BSM with “V” Device. Further, he signed his DD Form 214 verifying that the information contained in the separation document, to include the list of awards, was correct at the time it was issued. Thus, the Board finds the independent evidence provided by the applicant is not sufficiently compelling to support the requested relief.
3. The applicant is advised that the veracity of his claim of entitlement to the BSM with “V” Device is not in question. This action is based solely on there being insufficient evidence to confirm his entitlement to the BSM with “V” Device and it is taken in the interest of all those who served in Korea and who faced similar circumstances.
4. The applicant is advised that to apply for the Korean War Service Medal, he should submit a copy of his DD Form 214 to the Awards and Decorations Section, Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Center, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4714. A sample request form is provided. Once the Korean War Service Medal has been authorized by the Department of the Air Force, the applicant may apply to this Board to add this foreign award to his DD Form 214.
5. 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
RKS__ __JM___ __JHL __ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2003083968 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 2003/07/DD |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | HD |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | 1952/08/09 |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR 615-365 |
| DISCHARGE REASON | ETS |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. 46 | 107.0014 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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