IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 12 November 2008
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080014922
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, in effect, award of the Bronze Star Medal.
2. The applicant states that he engaged a section of a group of approximately 200 North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers on the Ho Chi Minh Trail for 20 minutes all alone and that he killed over 100 NVA soldiers all on his own. He states that he did it on his own and did not tell anyone about it.
3. The applicant provides no additional evidence in support of his application.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. 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. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicants failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.
2. The applicant was inducted on 7 May 1968. He served as a light weapons infantryman in Vietnam and was honorably discharged on 18 November 1969.
3. The applicants DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, administratively reissued on 23 August 2007) does not show the Bronze Star Medal as an authorized award.
4. 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.
5. Title 10 of the U.S. Code, section 1130 (10 USC 1130), provides the legal authority for consideration of proposals for decorations not previously submitted in a timely fashion. It allows, in effect, that upon the request of a Member of Congress, the Secretary concerned shall review a proposal for the award or presentation of a decoration (or the upgrading of a decoration), either for an individual or a unit, that is not otherwise authorized to be presented or awarded due to limitations established by law or policy for timely submission of a recommendation for such award or presentation. Based upon such review, the Secretary shall make a determination as to the merits of approving the award or presentation of the decoration.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. There is no evidence of record which shows the applicant was recommended for award of the Bronze Star Medal. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Bronze Star Medal in this case.
2. While the applicant's statement alone is insufficient for awarding the applicant the Bronze Star Medal, this in no way affects the applicants right to pursue his claim for the Bronze Star Medal by submitting a request through his Member of Congress under the provisions of 10 USC 1130.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
_____X___ __X______ ____X____ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
__________XXX_______________
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) AR20080014922
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080014922
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