MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            23 March 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999031093

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

	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Shirley L. Powell 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger Able		Member	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether the application was filed within the time established by statute, and if not, whether it would be in the interest of justice to waive the failure to timely file.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

The Board considered the following evidence:

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

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Award of the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for bravery in action on or about 5/6 April 1966.  He states he was recommended for the award but believes the “medal citation was lost and/or misplaced” and was therefore never entered in his records.  He submits no evidence in support of his request.

PURPOSE:  To determine whether the application was submitted within the time limit established by law, and if not, whether it is in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

He entered active duty on 20 April 1964 and served in Vietnam as a forward observer between July 1965 and April 1966.  He was wounded as a result of hostile action on 24 September 1965 and awarded the Purple Heart.

The applicant was released from active duty on 16 April 1966.  Neither his DD Form 214 nor his DA From 24 (enlisted service record) reflect entitlement to the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device.

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. An award of the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device denotes an award for heroism.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  There is no evidence, and the applicant has not provided any, that he was ever recommended for, or awarded, the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device.

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.  Failure to file within 3 years may be excused by a correction board if it finds it would be in the interest of justice to do so.

DISCUSSION:  The alleged error or injustice was, or with reasonable diligence should have been discovered on 16 April 1966, the date the applicant was released from active duty and authenticated his separation document.  The time for the applicant to file a request for correction of any error or injustice expired on 16 April 1969.

The application is dated 19 August 1999 and the applicant has not explained or otherwise satisfactorily demonstrated by competent evidence that it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the failure to apply within the time allotted.

DETERMINATION:  The subject application was not submitted within the time required.  The applicant has not presented and the records do not contain sufficient justification to conclude that it would be in the interest of justice to grant the relief requested or to excuse the failure to file within the time prescribed by law.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  EXCUSE FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__slp___  ____ra___  ___jea___  CONCUR WITH DETERMINATION

		Karl F. Schneider
		Director, Army Review Boards Agency 

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999031093	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000323	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	deny	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	142.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.