PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            27 May 1999                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999018836

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

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Edward Williamson		Chairperson	
	Ms. Meta Waller 		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

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

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was promised an award of the BSM in March 1967 prior to being airlifted to an Army hospital in Hawaii.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 24 November 1965.  He served as a light weapons infantryman in Vietnam from 23 July 1966 until he was wounded and transferred to Hawaii for treatment on 2 March 1967.  He returned to the United States for assignment at Fort Ord, California, on
12 May 1967 and was honorably discharged on 22 November 1967.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge), which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the BSM as an authorized award.

6.  Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), which was authenticated by the applicant on 31 May 1967, does not show entitlement to the BSM.

7.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records which shows he was recommended for or awarded the BSM. 

8.  DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 23 June 1989, shows the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), the Marksman Badge with Machine Gun Bar, the Expert Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation. These awards are also not shown on the applicant’s DD Form 214.

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

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board noted the applicant’s contention that he was promised an award of the BSM in 1967.  However, there is no evidence available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was recommended for or received the BSM.  Therefore, he is not entitled to this award.

2.  The applicant was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), the Marksman Badge with Machine Gun Bar, the Expert Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show these awards. 

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the first award of the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), the Marksman Badge with Machine Gun Bar, the Expert Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied. 

BOARD VOTE:  

EW_____  MW_____  KLW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Edward Williamson_____
		CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999018836	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990527	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19671122	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200  	
DISCHARGE REASON	EXPIRATION OF TERM OF SERVICE	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.