IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 20 November 2012
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120009040
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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Bronze Star Medal.
2. The applicant states the above award was not annotated on his DD Form 214. He did not know how to correct his DD Form 214 until a service representative alerted him to this Board. He proudly wears the Bronze Star lapel on his suit.
3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 and a certificate showing award of the Bronze Star Medal.
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 applicant's 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 applicant's 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 into the Army of the United States on 5 September 1967 and he held military occupational specialty 11C (Infantry Indirect Fire Crewmember).
3. He served in Vietnam from 21 February 1968 to 20 February 1969. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.
4. On 4 September 1969, he was honorably released from active duty as an overseas returnee. The DD Form 214 he was issued at the time does not show award of the Bronze Star Medal.
5. His records do not contain orders awarding him the Bronze Star Medal. Additionally, item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show the Bronze Star Medal.
6. 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 Bronze Star Medal pertaining to the applicant.
7. He submitted a certificate, dated 20 January 1969, that shows he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement from February 1968 to February 1969.
8. 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. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. There is insufficient evidence in the available record that shows the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The certificate he provides is insufficient by itself to confirm this award. The governing Army regulation states that for personal decorations (which include the Bronze Star Medal) formal recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
2. In the absence of orders or any other corroborating documents, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting 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 that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
_______ _ __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) AR20120009040
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120009040
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