IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 25 May 2010 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100013332 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 his last name be corrected on orders and DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) for the Bronze Star Medal, dated 20 May 2003; orders and DA Form 638 for the Army Commendation Medal, dated 20 August 2003; and orders and DA Form 638 for the Army Achievement Medal, dated 20 August 2003. He also requests the entry "STAFF SERGEANT" in the citation for his Bronze Star Medal be corrected to show specialist. 2. The applicant states: * his last name is spelled incorrectly on the above mentioned documents (correct spelling is R-------a-) * he was only a specialist when he received the Bronze Star Medal * he believes his awards were rushed through and there was not enough attention to detail by his Personnel Administration Center because they were in a combat environment * these awards were produced while in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and he had to permanent change of station for a different duty 8 months into this tour 3. The applicant provides: * memorandum for record, dated 12 April 2010 * orders and DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) for the Bronze Star Medal, dated 20 May 2003 * orders and DA Form 638 for the Army Commendation Medal, dated 20 August 2003 * orders and DA Form 638 for the Army Achievement Medal, dated 20 August 2003 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 20 February 2001 and was awarded military occupational specialty 13B (cannon crewmember). He was promoted from specialist to sergeant on 1 January 2004. He is currently serving on active duty in the rank of staff sergeant. Records show his last name is R-------a-. 2. The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Mosul, Iraq, Permanent Orders Number 140-024D, dated 20 May 2003, for the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service for the period 19 March 2003 to 31 July 2003. The citation for this award shows the entry "STAFF SERGEANT" in the fourth and fifth lines. He also provided a DA Form 638 for the Bronze Star Medal, dated 20 May 2003. The orders and DA Form 638 show his last name as R-------e-. 3. The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery, Permanent Orders Number 231-00, dated 20 August 2003, for the Army Achievement Medal for the period 1 July 2003 to 1 August 2003. He also provided a DA Form 638 for the Army Achievement Medal, dated 20 August 2003. The orders and DA Form 638 show his last name as R-------e-. 4. The applicant provided a copy of Headquarters, Division Artillery, Permanent Orders Number 231-10, dated 20 August 2003, for the Army Commendation Medal for the period 23 July 2001 to 1 January 2004. He also provided a DA Form 638 for the Army Commendation Medal, dated 20 August 2003. The orders and DA Form 638 show his last name as R-------e-. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's last name is spelled incorrectly on his orders and DA Forms 638 for the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Achievement Medal. Therefore, it would be appropriate to correct these orders and DA Forms 638 to show his correct last name. 2. Evidence of record shows the applicant was a specialist when he received the Bronze Star Medal. Therefore, the entry "STAFF SERGEANT" in the citation for his Bronze Star Medal should be corrected to show he was a specialist. BOARD VOTE: ____x____ ___x_____ ____x____ 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: a. correcting his orders and DA Forms 638 for the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Achievement Medal to show his correct last name; and b. deleting the entry "STAFF SERGEANT" in the citation for the Bronze Star Medal and replacing it with "SPECIALIST." _______ _ _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) AR20100013332 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100013332 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1