BOARD DATE:  7 August 2020

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190015676


APPLICANT REQUESTS: Correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show:

*	Bronze Star Medal
*	Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device
*	Air Medal (18th Award)

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	Bronze Star Medal citation
*	General Orders (GO) Number 374, dated 26 August 1967
*	Air Medal citation
*	GO Number 1110, dated 1 March 1968
*	USARV Form 157-R (Recommendation for Decoration for Valor or Merit)

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 (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 states he inadvertently ended up with only copies of these awards and 
wishes to have them added to his DD Form 214 for his children and grandchildren.

3.  The applicant's records contain GO's for the Army Commendation Medal with "V" 
Device and the Air Medal (18th Award) and will not be addressed any further in the 
record of proceedings.  These awards will be administratively added to the applicant's 
DD Form 214.  The Board will consider the Bronze Star Medal.

4.  A review of the applicant's official records shows the following:

	a.  On 5 October 1965, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army.
	b.  On 19 September 1968, the applicant was honorably released from active duty.  
He was awarded or authorized:

*	National Defense Service Medal
*	Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14)
*	Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16)
*	Vietnam Service Medal
*	Vietnam Campaign Medal

	c.  The applicant's records are void of orders awarding him the Bronze Star Medal.

	d.  A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System 
(ADCARS) maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the U.S. Army Human 
Resources Command, which is an index of GO's issued during the Vietnam era 
between 1965 and 1973, failed to reveal orders awarding the applicant the Bronze Star 
Medal for his period of service in Vietnam.

5.  The applicant provides:

	a.  Bronze Star Medal citation showing the applicant was presented the award for 
meritorious service in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the 
Republic of Vietnam from 10 March 1967 to 29 March 1967.

     b.  General Orders (GO) Number 374, dated 26 August 1967 awarding the applicant 
the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device for heroism on 16 June 1967 in the 
Republic of Vietnam.  He distinguished himself by heroic action while serving as a crew 
chief on a helicopter engaged in combat assault.

     c.  Air Medal citation presented to the applicant for meritorious achievement while 
participating in sustained aerial flight in support of combat ground forces of the Republic 
of Vietnam from 10 March 1967 to 29 March 1967

	d.  USARV Form 157-R showing the applicant was recommended for the Army 
Commendation Medal with "V" Device. 

6.  See applicable references below. 


BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
partial relief is warranted.

2.  The Board concurred with the corrections described in Administrative Note(s) below.  

3.  The Board found insufficient evidence to confirm that the applicant was awarded the 
Bronze Star Medal.  The Board considered the citation he provided, but found that 
document alone insufficient as a basis for correcting his record by adding the award.  
The Board agreed that if the applicant is able to provide a Bronze Star Medal Certificate 
or any additional records confirming he received this award, he should submit those 
documents with a request for reconsideration.  

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

: X	:X	:X	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a 
recommendation for partial relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all 
Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by making the 
corrections described in Administrative Note(s) below.

2.  The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a 
portion of the requested relief.  As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of 
the application that pertains to the Bronze Star Medal.

		  
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): 

1.  Reference the enclosed request for correction of military records, correct the 
applicant's DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or 
Discharge) for the period ending 19 September 1968, by adding the following awards:

*	Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device 
*	Air Medal (18th Award)

2.  The following documents are sufficient to justify correction of the DD Form 214 
without action by the Board.

*	DD Form 214 
*	GO Number 374
*	GO Number 1916
*	GO Number 1110

3.  Correct the applicant’s DD Form 214 to add the awards shown in paragraph 1 
above.  Provide the applicant with a copy of the corrections and the medals and 
citations, as applicable.  Please record the corrections in the applicant’s official military 
personnel record. 


REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, 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 ABCMR determines it would be in the 
interest of justice to do so.

2.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Bronze Star Medal 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.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20190015676


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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