IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 20 March 2012
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110019190
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 request to add his award of 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, in effect, that he obtained a copy of his orders awarding him the BSM from another unit member and he desires the award to be entered on his DD Form 214.
3. The applicant provides a copy of orders awarding him the BSM for the period of October 1968 to June 1969.
COUNSEL'S REQUEST, STATEMENT AND EVIDENCE:
1. Counsel requests that the award of the BSM be added to the applicants DD Form 214.
2. Counsel states his views regarding the manner in which the Board bases its decisions regarding correction of records of Vietnam veterans.
3. Counsel provides no additional documents to support his comments
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 AR20100029998 on 12 July 2011.
2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 9 December 1966 for a period of 3 years. He completed his training as an explosive ordnance disposal specialist and was transferred to Vietnam in September 1968.
3. He was promoted to the pay grade of E-6 on 17 May 1969 and departed Vietnam on 1 June 1969 for Oakland Army Base, California where he was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) on 3 June 1969 as an overseas returnee. He had served 2 years, 5 months and 25 days of active service and his DD Form 214 issued at the time of his REFRAD shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.
4. The applicant has provided a copy of General Orders Number 751 issued by Headquarters, US Army Support Command, Saigon on 26 June 1969 awarding him the BSM for meritorious service during the period of October 1968 to June 1969. Those orders are not contained in his official records.
5. The applicant applied to the Board requesting that his award of the BSM be added to his DD Form 214; however, he did not provide a copy of orders and there were no orders in his records awarding him the BSM and the Board denied that portion of his request. However, the Board did award him the Army Good Conduct Medal and added awards of the Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and his marksmanship badge to his DD Form 214.
6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Bronze Star Medal 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 n 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:
1. The applicants contention that his award of the BSM should be added to his DD Form 214 has been noted and found to have merit.
2. The applicant has provided a copy of duly published orders awarding him the BSM for meritorious service in Vietnam. Accordingly, the BSM should be added to his records at this time.
BOARD VOTE:
__X____ ___X____ ___X____ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
1. The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant amendment of the ABCMRs decision in Docket Number AR20100029998, dated 12 July 2011. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the award of the BSM to his DD Form 214 dated 3 June 1969.
2. The Board wants the applicant and all others to know that the sacrifices he made in service to the United States during the Vietnam War are deeply appreciated. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.
_______ _ 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) AR20110019190
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110019190
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