IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 26 February 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140011717
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 award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).
2. The applicant states:
* he received the citation indicating that he had been awarded the BSM several months before he was discharged
* he never received the medal and has now been told the award is not on his DD Form 214
3. The applicant provides a BSM citation.
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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 27 November 1967. He served in Vietnam from 26 May 1969 to 16 May 1970.
3. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in:
a. item 38 (Record of Assignments) he served in Vietnam with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, II Field Force Artillery from 30 May 1969 to 8 May 1970; and
b. item 41 (Awards and Decorations) no award of the BSM.
4. On 2 July 1970, he was honorably released from active duty. He completed 2 years, 7 months, and 6 days of total active service. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the:
* National Defense Service Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Good Conduct Medal
5. He submitted a BSM citation which indicates he was awarded the BSM for meritorious service during the period May 1969 to April 1970.
6. 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 orders for the BSM pertaining to the applicant.
7. 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 or other corroborating evidence that confirm the applicant was awarded a BSM. Therefore, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting his request.
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) AR20140011717
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140011717
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