IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 7 February 2012
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110015675
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 reconsideration of his earlier request to add the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).
2. The applicant states he would like the medal shown on his DD Form 214 and the issuance of the medal if possible.
3. The applicant provides copies of his BSM Certificate.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20100029504 on 21 June 2011.
2. He provides his BSM Certificate, dated 22 October 1968, for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 1 January 1968 to 31 August 1968.
3. The award certificate is new evidence that will be considered by the Board.
4. He enlisted in the Regular Army on 18 October 1965 for a period of 3 years. He was awarded military occupational specialty 95B (military policeman). He served in Vietnam from December 1967 to October 1968. He was released from active duty on 6 October 1968 and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) to complete his remaining service obligation.
5. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows the:
* National Defense Service Medal
* Army Commendation Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Vietnam Service Medal
6. There are no orders for the BSM in the applicant's available records.
7. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show entitlement to the BSM. This form was audited by the applicant in October 1968.
8. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, failed to reveal any orders for the BSM pertaining to the applicant.
9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the BSM is awarded in time of war for heroism and for 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 with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
There are no orders for the BSM in the applicant's available records. In the absence of orders or other corroborating evidence, the BSM Certificate provided by the applicant alone is not sufficient as a basis for adding this medal to his DD Form 214. Regrettably, there is insufficient evidence in which to grant the applicant's requested relief.
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 the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20100029504, dated 21 June 2011.
_______ _ 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) AR20110015675
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110015675
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