IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 29 JULY 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080008070 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 that his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) be corrected to show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. 2. The applicant states that the orders awarding him the Bronze Star Medal was not present in his record at the time of his discharge. He states that the award was recently found and provided to him by his "losing unit." 3. The applicant provides in support of his application the approved DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) awarding him the Bronze Star Medal and accompanying narrative; and a copy of his Bronze Star Medal Certificate. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. On 5 February 1987, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army in Raleigh, North Carolina, for 3 years, in the pay grade of E-3. He successfully completed his training as a cryptologic linguist. He remained on active duty through a series of extensions and reenlistments. 2. The applicant was advanced to the pay grade of E-4 on 5 June 1987; he was promoted to the pay grade of E-5 on 1 November 1989; he was promoted to the pay grade of E-6 on 1 August 1992; and he was promoted to the final pay grade of E-7 on 1 May 1996. 3. On 21 May 2006, the applicant's commander submitted a DA Form 638 on behalf of the applicant for exceptionally meritorious service as a noncommissioned officer in charge of the Technical Control and Analysis Element (TCAE), Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan (CJSOTF-A), Camp Vance, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from 8 January 2006 through 1 September 2006. The recommendation was approved on 29 July 2006. 4. The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by Headquarters, Special Operations Command Central, McDill AFB Permanent Orders Number 210-048, dated 29 July 2006 for exceptionally meritorious service during Operation Enduring Freedom. 5. After completing 20 years and 26 days of net active service, the applicant was retired on 28 February 2007, under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 12, due to obtaining sufficient service for retirement. 6. The DD Form 214 that the applicant was furnished at the time of his retirement shows that he was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal (Sixth Award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Basic Marksmanship Qualification Badge, the Basic Aviation Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge. However, the Bronze Star Medal was not included on his DD Form 214. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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. Recommendations must be made within 2 years of the event or period of service and the award must be made within 3 years. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The available records indicate that the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and that this award should have been included on his DD Form 214 at the time of his separation. 2. Permanent Orders Number 210-048 was published on 29 July 2006, awarding the applicant the Bronze Star Medal for exceptionally meritorious service during Operation Enduring Freedom. Therefore, he is entitled to have the award reflected on his DD Form 214. 3. In view of the foregoing, it would now be appropriate to correct the applicant's records as recommended below. BOARD VOTE: __XXX __ __XXX__ __XXX__ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was 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 amending his DD Form 214 to show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. ___ XXX ___ 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) AR20080008070 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080008070 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1