ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	BOARD DATE:  2 May 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20180000776


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Bronze Service Medal (BSM). 
APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 
DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United 
States Code (USC), section 1552 (b); however, the Army Board for Correction of 
Military Records 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 states due to a battle in 5 May 1968, while serving in Vietnam his first 
sergeant recommended he be awarded the BSM.  He has no proof; however, it should 
show in his records.  He was not happy with the Army because he had to do 2 tours in 
Vietnam.   After seeing another veteran receive the BSM on television, he decided to 
request it.

3.  The applicant's record does not contain orders awarding him the BSM.  Additionally, 
item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) 
does not show he was awarded the BSM.  
4.  He was discharged on 19 July 1968.  His DD Form 214 does not show the BSM as 
an authorized award.
5.  A 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 U.S. Army Human Resources Command, failed to 
reveal any orders that show the applicant was awarded the BSM.  
6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the BSM is awarded in 
time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service, not involving 
participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed 
enemy, or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing 
armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.  As with all personal 
decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and 
announcement in orders are required.  
BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  After reviewing the application and all supporting evidence, the Board determined 
that no relief was warranted other than the administrative corrections outlined below the 
signature block.  The Board determined that no documentation was provided or found 
within the record showing the applicant was ever awarded the requested Bronze Star 
Medal.

2.  BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

X	:X	:X:	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

In addition to the administrative notes annotated by the Board Facilitator (below the 
signature), the Board determined 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 otherwise insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of 
the individual concerned.

	  
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.


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

The applicant served in two units during two tours in Vietnam and has earned several 
Vietnam service medals.  His DD Form 214 will be corrected to reflect the following 
additions in item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and 
Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized):

1.  Add “Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars” vice “Vietnam Service 
Medal”
2.  Add “Presidential Unit Citation”

3.  Add “Valorous Unit Award”

4.  Add “Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation”

5.  Add “Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation”
REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military 
records must be filed within three 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 three-year statute of 
limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.

2.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the BSM is awarded in time of war for 
heroism and for meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial 
flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, or while engaged 
in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United 
States is not a belligerent party.  As with all personal decorations, formal 
recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in 
orders are required.  During the Vietnam era, BSM approval authority was normally 
delegated to division commanders and commanders of separate brigades.  


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20180000776
	
2

1