IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 22 September 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150002601
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 for award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).
2. He states he has obtained a letter from the Department of the Army (DA), Sixth United States Army that states he earned the BSM while on active duty.
3. He provides a letter, dated 19 March 1971.
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 AR20140007280, dated 9 December 2014.
2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 27 April 1967. He served in Vietnam from 5 October 1969 to 9 November 1970 and was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment. He was honorably released from active duty on 10 November 1970 and credited with completing 3 years, 6 months, and 17 days of active duty service.
3. The applicant's record is void of any orders or evidence to show he was recommended and approved for the award of the BSM.
4. He provides a letter, dated 19 March 1971, that was not previously considered by the Board. This letter stated that the Sixth United States Army received for presentation the BSM that the applicant earned while on active duty with the U.S. Army.
5. 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 Awards and Decorations Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, failed to reveal orders awarding the applicant the BSM.
6. 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 is no reason to doubt the authenticity of the letter from the Sixth United States Army indicating that he earned the BSM. However, in the absence of orders to substantiate this award there is insufficient evidence to correct his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the BSM.
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 AR20140007280, dated 9 December 2014.
____________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) AR20150002601
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