PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                18 July 2000             
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR2000039737

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. George D. Paxson		Chairperson	
	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon		Member	
	Ms. Margaret V. Thompson		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, in effect, that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 does not show the 
Bronze Star Medal.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and a copy of his award certificate for the Bronze Star Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records were destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show that he entered active duty on 15 December 1966.
He served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged on 12 December 1969.

5.  His discharge document does not show the Bronze Star Medal as an authorized award.

6.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, which shows that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces while serving in Vietnam from May 1967 to May 1968.

7.  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.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There are no orders available to the Board which authorize award of the Bronze Star to the applicant.  However, the applicant has provided evidence that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  Upon review, the Board has determined that this evidence is sufficient as a basis for correction of his records to show this
award.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

GDP____  EB______  MVT____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___GEORGE D. PAXSON__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000039737	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000718	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19691212	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  60		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.