DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY ARMY REVIEW BOARDS AGENCY 251 18TH STREET SOUTH, SUITE 385 ARLINGTON, VA 22202-3531 SAMR-RB 1 November 2021 MEMORANDUM FOR Case Management Division, US Army Review Boards Agency, 251 18th Street South, Suite 385, Arlington, VA 22202-3531 SUBJECT: Army Board for Correction of Military Records Record of Proceedings For ., AR20200002871 1. Reference the attached Army Board for Correction of Military Records Record of Proceedings in which the Board recommended denying the applicant’s request. 2. I have reviewed the evidence presented by the applicant and contained in the records, findings, conclusions, and Board member recommendations. I find there is sufficient evidence to grant relief. Therefore, under the authority of Title 10, United States Code, section 1552, I direct that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the DD Form 214 for the period ending 8 June 1971 to add in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations) – “BSM”. 3. Request necessary administrative action be taken to effect the correction of records as indicated no later than 1 March 2022. Further, request that the individual concerned and counsel, if any, as well as any Members of Congress who have shown interest be advised of this decision and that the Army Board for Correction of Military Records be furnished a copy of the correspondence. BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY: Encl CF: ( ) OMPF Printed on Recycled Paper ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 28 October 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20200002871 APPLICANT REQUESTS: his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to be amended to add his Bronze Star Medal (BSM). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * BSM Certificate * DD Form 214 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b); however, the ABCMR conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant provides: * BSM Certificate showing he was awarded the BSM on 1 July 1971 for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam during July 1970 to July 1971 * DD Form 214 showing he was honorably relieved from active duty on 8 June 1971 and reverted to US Army Reserve (USAR); BSM was not reflected 3. A review of the applicant’s service records shows: a. He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 19 June 1968. b. He was honorably discharged on 17 July 1969 to accept commission as officer in the Army. His DD Form 214 for this period of service shows he was awarded the: * National Defense Service Medal * Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20200002871 c. On 18 July 1969, he was commissioned as an officer in the USAR. d. His DA Form 66 (Officer Qualification Record) shows in: * Block 17 (Foreign Service): he served in the Republic of Vietnam from 29 July 1970 to 4 June 1971 * Block 18 (Record of Assignments): he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 588th Engineer Battalion from 3 August to 5 September 1970; A Company from 6 September to 13 November 1970; and 702nd Engineer Detachment from 14 November 1970-1 June 1971 e. On 8 June 1971, he was honorably released from active duty and reverted to USAR status. His DD Form 214 for this period shows he was awarded or authorized: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device * Good Conduct Medal * Overseas service bar f. The BSM Certificate provided by the applicant shows he was awarded the BSM on 1 July 1971, after his DD Form 214 was issued. His service record does not contain orders awarding the BSM. g. 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 Awards and Decorations Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, failed to reveal any orders for Bronze Star Medal. 4. By regulation, Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), award of the Bronze Star Medal requires formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined relief was not warranted. Based upon the available documentation, specifically the applicant’s DD Form 66, failing to show any award of the BSM, as well as the BSM certificate failing to provide an official order number, the Board concluded there was insufficient evidence of an error or injustice which would warrant adding a Bronze Star Medal to the applicant’s record. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20200002871 BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING :XXX :XXX :XX DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. 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. REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, United States 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 ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3 year statute of limitations if the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), award of the Bronze Star Medal requires formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders. //NOTHING FOLLOWS//