ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 
IN THE CASE OF:   
BOARD DATE: 8 December 2021 
DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20210012548 
APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer of Discharge), ending on 21 March 1969, to show award of the Bronze Star Medal. 
APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 
. 
DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) 

. 
Citation for the Bronze Star Medal 

. 
Bronze Star Medal Certificate 


. DD Form 214, ending on 21 March 1969 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 received the Bronze Star Medal, but it is not indicated on his DD Form 214. He has the citation, the medal, and the certificate signed by his commanding general. He is now 74 years old and would like to have the Bronze Star Medal on his headstone. 

3. 
The applicant's service record shows: 

a. 
On 28 March 1966, he enlisted in the Regular Army. 

b. 
DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows: 




(1) He served in Vietnam during the period of 28 June 1967 to 19 March 1969, and he participated in three campaigns while assigned to the 593rd Signal Company (Support). 
(2) item 41 (Awards and Decorations) – 
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210012548 
. 
Vietnam Service Medal 

. 
National Defense Service Medal 

. 
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device 

. 
Army Good Conduct Medal 

. 
Three Overseas Service Bars 

. 
Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) 


c. On 21 March 1969, he was honorably released from active duty. DD Form 214 item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) is void of a Bronze Star Medal. 
4. 
A review of the Awards and Decorations Computers-Assisted Retrieval System, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the United States Army Human Resource Command, failed to reveal orders for award of the Bronze Star Medal pertaining to the applicant. 

5. 
The applicant provides a citation and certificate for the Bronze Star Medal, which shows he was presented the award on 13 March 1969 for distinguishing himself by outstandingly meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period from 2 July 1967 to 12 March 1969. 


BOARD DISCUSSION: 
After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was warranted. The Board carefully considered the applicants request, supporting 
documents and evidence in the records. The Board considered the applicant’s 
statement, his military service record, documents provided by the applicant and regulatory guidance. The Board considered the applicant’s period of service in Vietnam, unit of assignment and Commanding General and found them to be consistent with the dates appearing on the award. Based on a preponderance of evidence, the Board found sufficient evidence to warrant awarding the applicant the Bronze Star Medal based upon the Bronze Star Medal Certificate and narrative citation provided by the applicant. Therefore, relief was granted to correct the applicant’s record and award him the Bronze Star Medal. 
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210012548 
BOARD VOTE: 
Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 
XXX XXX XX GRANT FULL RELIEF 
: : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 
: : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING 
: : : DENY APPLICATION 
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 
The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 by awarding him the Bronze Star Medal. 
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. 
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. 
U. S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards), in effect at the time, governed the military awards program in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It stated the Bronze Star Medal may have been awarded for heroism or for meritorious 


ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210012548 
achievement or service which did not involve aerial flight but which was performed in connection with military operations against an armed enemy including combat, support, and supply operations. The approval authority for award of the Bronze Star Medal was generally delegated no lower than brigadier generals in command of separate brigades. 
3. 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//