IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 26 FEBRUARY 2009
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080019681
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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show award of the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device.
2. The applicant states that he received the medal for actions on 20 July 1950 in Korea but it was never reflected on his DD Form 214. He contends that he gave the medal to his mother; however, when she passed away the medal was not in her possessions.
3. The applicant provides an Honorable Discharge certificate; a letter, dated 2 October 2008, from the National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, Missouri; and a copy of his DD Form 214 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 applicants military records are 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 applicants records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.
3. The applicant enlisted on 14 September 1949. He served in Korea and was honorably discharged on 6 October 1952.
4. The applicant's DD Form 214 does not show the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device as an authorized award.
5. There are no orders for the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device in the available records.
6. 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. The bronze "V" device indicates acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
Since there are no orders for the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, regrettably, there is insufficient evidence on which to amend the applicants DD Form 214 to show this medal.
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) AR20080019681
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