BOARD DATE: 14 January 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150005786 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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Bronze Star Medal. 2. The applicant states his DD Form 214 does not show award of the Bronze Star Medal. 3. The applicant provides an incomplete copy of Headquarters, 18th Military Police Brigade, General Orders Number 143, dated 19 February 1968. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant was appointed as a Reserve commissioned officer in the rank of second lieutenant on 2 June 1965. 3. On 3 April 1966, he was ordered to active duty. 4. He served in Vietnam from 5 February 1967 through 29 January 1968. While serving in Vietnam, he was assigned to Company D, 52d Infantry Regiment. He participated in two campaigns. 5. On 3 February 1968, he was honorably released from active duty. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) 6. Headquarters, 18th Military Police Brigade, General Orders Number 143, dated 19 February 1968, awarded him the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in the Republic of Vietnam during the period February 1967 through February 1968. 7. Department of the Army General Orders Number 54, dated 8 October 1968, awarded Company D, 52d Infantry Regiment, the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period 9 February 1967 to 31 December 1967. 8. Department of the Army General Orders Number 39, dated 20 July 1970, awarded Company D, 52d Infantry Regiment, the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period 1 January 1968 to 31 December 1968. 9. Department of the Army General Orders Number 8, dated 1974, announced award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation to Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command and its subordinate units during the period 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973 and to Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam and its subordinate units during the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973. 10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that a bronze service star is authorized with the Vietnam Service Medal for each Vietnam campaign a member is credited with participating in. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. General orders awarded the applicant the Bronze Star Medal. His DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this award. 2. He was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal and he participated in two campaigns. His DD Form 214 should be corrected to show award of the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars. 3. General orders awarded his unit two Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. His DD Form 214 should be corrected to show these unit awards. BOARD VOTE: __X______ ___X_____ _X___ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a.  deleting award the Vietnam Service Medal from his DD Form 214 and b.  adding the following awards to his DD Form 214: * Bronze Star Medal * Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars * Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award) * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation __________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) AR20150005786 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150005786 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1