IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE: 24 January 2023

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220002983


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  reconsideration of his previous request for correction of his 
DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to 
show the Bronze Star Medal.  

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	Certificate showing award of the Bronze Star Medal

FACTS:

1.  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the 
previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of 
Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number , on 27 July 2011. 

2.  The applicant states he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for service in Vietnam, 
but it is not properly shown on his DD Form 214. The medal was mailed after his 
discharge, and he was unaware that he could make the correction. 

3.  Review of the applicant’s service records shows: 

	a.  He was inducted into the Army of the United State on 22 January 1970. He held 
military occupational specialty 63B, Wheel Vehicle Mechanic. 

	b.  He served in Vietnam from on or about 22 November 1970 to on or about 18 
November 1971. He was assigned to the following units during his tour of duty in 
Vietnam:

•	Headquarters, Main Support Company (HMSC), 610th Maintenance Support 
Battalion
•	5th Light Maintenance Company (Combat Support)
•	HMSC, 185th Maintenance Battalion
•	79th Light Maintenance Company (Combat Support)

   c. Item 41 (Award and Decorations) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification 
Record) shows the following: "NDSM (National Defense Service Medal), VSM (Vietnam 
Service Medal), RVNCM w/60 DEVICE (Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 
1970 Device), (1) OS Bar (one overseas service bar), and B Star." No order number is 
listed for the "B" Star."

	d.  On 21 November 1971, he was released from active duty. He completed 1 year 
and 10 months of creditable active duty service. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, 
Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the 
applicant's DD Form 214 show she was awarded or authorized: 

•	National Defense Service Medal 
•	Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars
•	Vietnam Campaign Medal with "1960" device.

   e.  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 Military Awards Branch of the United States Army Human 
Resources Command, failed to reveal any orders awarding the applicant the Bronze 
Star Medal.

	f.  The applicant provides a Bronze Star Medal certificate which shows he was 
awarded the medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile 
forces in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 1 November 1970 to 30 November 
1971.

3.  On 27 July 2011, the Board considered his request for correction of his DD Form 214 
to show award of the Bronze Star Medal and denied it. The Board stated there are no 
general orders that show he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. The certificate 
provided by the applicant is not sufficient evidence alone upon which to base a 
correction of his records. Should he have or be able to obtain a copy of the orders 
awarding him the Bronze Star he may submit another application for consideration.

4.  By regulation (AR 600-8-22), award of the Bronze Star Medal requires a formal 
recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in 
orders. 

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within 
the military record, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The applicant’s 
contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The 
applicant provides a Bronze Star Medal certificate which shows he was awarded the 
medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the 
Republic of Vietnam during the period 1 November 1970 to 30 November 1971. 
Regulatory guidance stipulates that award of the Bronze Star Medal requires a formal 
recommendation, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in 
orders. In the absence of orders, the Board determined there is insufficient evidence to 
add this award to his DD Form 214 

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:

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 insufficient 
as a basis to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number 
, on 27 July 2011.

	 
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:

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)	AR20220002983


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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