IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 11 March 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130012404
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, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to add the Bronze Star Medal.
2. The applicant states he was told he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
3. The applicant provides correspondence from his Member of Congress and his DD Form 214.
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 13 May 1968. He held military occupational specialty 11E (Armor Crewman) and attained the rank/grade of sergeant/E-5.
3. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he was assigned to Vietnam from 2 May 1969 to 9 April 1970 and served with A Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment from 2 May 1969 to 6 April 1970.
4. There is no evidence of record in the three typical sources showing he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal:
* Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20 does not list the Bronze Star Medal among his awards
* His record does not contain official orders awarding him the Bronze Star Medal
* A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System maintained by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, which is an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973, failed to reveal any orders for the Bronze Star Medal pertaining to him
5. He was honorably released from active duty on 10 April 1970. His DD Form 214 does not list the Bronze Star Medal.
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. 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 of record and the applicant did not provide any evidence to show he was awarded 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 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 at this time.
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) AR20130012404
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130012404
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