IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 November 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150004507 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 previous request for award of the Bronze Star Medal. 2. The applicant states he received the medal after he was discharged. 3. The applicant provides a copy of a Bronze Star Medal certificate and citation. 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 AR20130015806 on 20 May 2014. 2. The applicant provides a copy of a Bronze Star Medal certificate and accompanying citation which were not previously reviewed by the ABCMR. Therefore, it is considered new evidence and as such, warrants consideration by the Board. 3. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 13 August 1968. He completed training and he was awarded military occupational specialty 36K (Message Clerk). Evidence shows he served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 8 May 1969 to 11 April 1970. 4. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show award of the Bronze Star Medal. 5. On 11 April 1970, he was honorably released from active duty. His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows he completed a total of 1 year, 7 months, and 29 days of active military service. The DD Form 214 he was issued shows he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with “1960” Device * Vietnam Service Medal * two overseas service bars * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) 6. His record contains a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), dated 24 June 2014, which shows he was awarded or authorized the: * Purple Heart * Army Good Conduct Medal * Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars * Valorous Unit Award * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation 7. 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 Bronze Star Medal pertaining to the applicant. 8. The applicant provides a Bronze Star Medal certificate and accompanying citation which state he distinguished himself by outstandingly meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period May 1969 to May 1970. The certificate indicates the award was approved on 22 May 1970, 42 days after his separation. 9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Bronze Star Medal 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: 1. The applicant's request for reconsideration of his previous request for award of the Bronze Star Medal has been carefully reexamined. 2. The governing Army regulation states that for personal decorations (which include the Bronze Star Medal) formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 3. The applicant's service, sacrifices, and sincerity are not in question. However, in the absence of official orders or documentary evidence confirming such orders were published, there remains insufficient evidence to correct his record to show award of the Bronze Star Medal. 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 AR20130015806, dated 20 May 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) AR20150004507 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150004507 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1