IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 6 August 2013
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120022537
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 previous request for correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show he was awarded two Bronze Star Medals.
2. The applicant further requests a third Bronze Star Medal be added to his DD Form 214.
3. The applicant states the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) sent him a certificate for award of the Bronze Star Medal. The certificate shows he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in Vietnam with the 173rd Reconnaissance Unit. He states the:
* first Bronze Star Medal was awarded for his service in Company K, 75th Airborne Ranger Battalion
* second Bronze Star Medal was awarded by the 4th Infantry Battalion
* third Bronze Star Medal, currently listed on his DD Form 215 (Correction to the DD Form 214), was awarded for his service in the 173rd Reconnaissance Unit
4. The applicant provides his certificate for award of the Bronze Star Medal (1st Award), DD Form 214, and DD Form 215.
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 AR20120003622, on 11 September 2012.
2. The applicant makes the new argument that his DD Form 214 should show three awards of the Bronze Star Medal. This argument was not previously considered by the Board and, therefore, warrants consideration by the Board.
3. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 29 January 1970 and held military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman). The highest rank/grade he attained while serving on active duty was specialist four/E-4.
4. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he assigned to Vietnam from 4 September 1970 to 21 August 1971 and served with Company E, 4th Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade from 27 November 1970 to 21 August 1971. This form does not list the Bronze Star Medal.
5. General Orders Number 1603, issued by Headquarters, 173d Airborne Brigade, on 11 July 1971, awarded him the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in connection with ground operations against hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam from September 1970 through August 1971.
6. His records do not contain any evidence showing he was either recommended for or awarded subsequent awards of the Bronze Star Medal.
7. He was honorably discharged from active duty on 8 October 1971. His DD Form 214 does not list the Bronze Star Medal. However, he was issued a DD Form 215, on 17 October 2012, listing the Bronze Star Medal (1st Award).
8. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System (ADCARS), an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam Era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command Military Awards Branch, failed to reveal any orders awarding the applicant a second Bronze Star Medal.
9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. As with all personal decorations, award of the Bronze Star Medal requires formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
There is no evidence in the available record and the applicant has not submitted evidence to show he was awarded a second or third award of the Bronze Star Medal. 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 of orders are required. In the absence of orders, or records showing his chain of approval decided to approve this award, there is insufficient evidence to correct his records to show additional awards of the Bronze Star 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 to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20120003622, dated 11 September 2012.
_______ _ 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) AR20120022537
3
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120022537
2
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130011416
Therefore, it would be appropriate at this time to correct the applicant's records to show award of the Purple Heart. The evidence of record shows: a. the applicant qualified for award of the Vietnam Service Medal and he served in six campaigns during his service in Vietnam. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from his DD Form 214 the Vietnam Service Medal; and b. adding the following awards to...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120003622
There are no orders contained in the applicant's official military records showing he was awarded a second Bronze Star Medal. There is no evidence in the available record and the applicant has not submitted any evidence showing he was awarded a second Bronze Star Medal for service while assigned to Company K, 75th Airborne Ranger Battalion. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 for the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140021423
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show: * two Purple Hearts (referred to as the Purple Heart with First Oak Leaf Cluster (1OLC) at the time) given to him on 31 March 1970 and 9 January 1971 * two Bronze Star Medals given to him on 28 March 1970 and 7 December 1970 * an Army Commendation Medal given to him on 3 September 1970 2. He provides a certificate issued by the Commanding General of the 173d...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130006326
The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show all his awards including the Presidential Unit Citation and completion of the Combat Tracker Team Course. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in: a. item 38 (Record of Assignments) service in Vietnam with: * Security Guard Company, USARV; attached to Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 2nd Brigade, 4th infantry Division (Re-designated: Army Combat Tracker...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080007461
There are no orders for a second award of the Air Medal in the available records. Headquarters, 173d Airborne Brigade General Order Number 1738, dated 7 July 1969, show the applicant received the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in conjunction with military operations against a hostile force for the period October 1967 to July 1969. Since there are no orders for a second award of the Air Medal, there is insufficient evidence on which to base a second award of the Air Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080017949
Therefore, he is entitled to have his records corrected to show these unit awards. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from item 24 of the applicant's DD Form 214 the Bronze Star Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal; b. adding to item 24 of the applicant's DD Form 214 the Bronze Star Medal with first oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, Meritorious Unit...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100009506
Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows that Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade, was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for its service from 5 May 1965 to 26 September 1970 based on Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 51, dated 1971; and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for its service from 15 April 1969...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130005213
His DD Form 214 for this period shows: a. his last duty assignment was the 516th PSC, U.S. Army Vietnam; b. his MOS as 71B (Clerk Typist); c. his service in the Republic of Vietnam from 18 September 1971 to 26 April 1972; and d. he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Army Commendation Medal * Vietnam Service Medal 9. The 3d Battalion, 503d Infantry, was awarded the: *...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130004696
He provides a copy of General Order Number 942 issued by Headquarters, 173rd Airborne Brigade, dated 24 April 1970, awarding him the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in Vietnam from June 1969 to June 1970. The evidence shows he participated in eight campaigns during his service in Vietnam that entitles him to one silver service star and three bronze service stars for wear on his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal. As...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 2004100341C070208
The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief and to excuse failure to timely file. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing that he was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 19 September 1966 to 2 September...