IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 19 May 2010
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090018856
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 that the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) and the Sapper Tab be added to his 14 November 2008 DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty).
2. The applicant states that he returned to the United States prior to receiving the BSM from his deployed unit in Afghanistan. He also maintains that he earned the Sapper Tab, but he did not have the paperwork to wear the award.
3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), BSM orders and certificate, Sapper Leader Course Diploma, Sapper Tab orders, and deployment orders.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant's record shows he was ordered to active duty on 15 December 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as a psychological operations specialist in Afghanistan from 24 December 2007 to 14 September 2008 and was released from active duty on 14 November 2008.
2. The applicants DD Form 214, dated 14 November 2008, shows the following awards: Iraq Campaign Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Joint Service Commendation Medal; Army Commendation Medal (5th Award); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Achievement Medal (8th Award); Army Good Conduct Medal; Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (3rd Award); National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award); Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Humanitarian Service Medal (2nd Award); Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral "3"; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award); Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon (4th Award); Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device (2nd Award); Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal; NATO Medal (2nd Award); Multinational Force and Observers Medal; Expert Infantryman Badge; Combat Action Badge; Air Assault Badge; and Aircraft Crewman Badge.
3. The applicant's DD Form 215 deleted the Iraq Campaign Medal and the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and added the Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze service star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with one bronze service star, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
4. Permanent Orders 230043, dated 10 September 2009, and a diploma from the Army Corps of Engineers show the applicant completed the Sapper Leader Course on 30 March 1995 and was awarded the Sapper Badge.
5. Permanent Orders 340-44, undated, and a certificate show the applicant was awarded the BSM for the period 24 December 2006 to 24 December 2007.
6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) contains the Army's awards policy. Paragraph 8-50 contains guidance on the Sapper Tab. It states that the basic eligibility criteria for the award is successful graduation of all graduation requirements and a graduation certificate from a Sapper Leader Course conducted by the US Army Engineer School. Any person who successfully graduates from a Sapper Leader Course conducted by the US Army Engineer School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri is entitled to this award.
7. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) prescribes the separation documents that must be prepared for Soldiers on retirement, discharge, or release from active duty service or control of the Active Army. It also establishes standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. Chapter 2 of the same regulation contains preparation instructions for the DD Form 214. The instructions for item 13 state to list all awards and decorations for all periods of service.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. Orders verify that the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show award of the BSM.
2. Orders and a diploma confirm that the applicant was awarded the Sapper Tab on 30 March 1995 for successful completion of the Sapper Leader Course. Therefore, it would be appropriate to correct his records to show this award.
BOARD VOTE:
____x____ ___x_____ ____x____ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding to the applicant's 14 November 2008 DD Form 214 the BSM and the Sapper Tab.
_______ _ _x______ ___
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) AR20090018856
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090018856
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