MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:  24 November 1999                             
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999012536

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Rosa M. Chandler		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor		Chairperson	
	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		Member	
	Mr. Lester Echols		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	     advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Reconsideration of his request for the Bronze 
Star Medal (BSM).

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that he is entitled to award of the BSM with 
the “V” device to denote valor.  In support of his request he submits a certified letter written in his behalf by a retired sergeant first class, a former member of his unit.  The retired sergeant contends in the written statement that he was wounded and the applicant while, under hostile fire, picked him up, and saved his life by carrying him to a safe area.  The applicant also submits two newspaper articles concerning U.S. Army awards to other soldiers.

NEW EVIDENCE OR INFORMATION:  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in a memorandum prepared to reflect the Board's original consideration of his case on 1 August 1984 (COPY ATTACHED).

The available records are reconstructed personnel records. The Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) Memorandum of Consideration shows that the applicant’s records were partially destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Further, the records show that the applicant served in combat in Korea.  He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.  

The available records do not show that the applicant is entitled to the BSM.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the BSM 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.  Recommendations must be made within 2 years of the event or period of service and the award must be made within 3 years.  

The bronze “V” device indicates acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.	The overall merits of the case, including the latest submissions and
arguments are insufficient as a basis for the Board to reverse its previous decision.

2.	The newspaper articles that the applicant submitted provided no relevant 
factual evidence.  The statement written by the former unit member recalling the incident was written more than 40 years after the incident.  The Board cannot grant the applicant’s request based on this testimonial alone. 

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

RVD____  RGH____  LE______  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999012536	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19991124	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON	A107.0000	
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0014	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.