IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 14 February 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220006601 APPLICANT REQUESTS: Reconsideration of his previous request for correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show: * correct foreign service * Bronze Star Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC) * in effect, a retirement award APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Self-Authored Letter * Photo of Bunker with men in Vietnam * Newspaper Article regarding Ammunition Attack * Photo from Vietnam in August 1969 * Portion of previous Record of Proceedings * Letter from the Army Review Boards Agency (ARBA) * DD Form 214 * DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) * Letter from Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) * ABCMR Docket Number AR20200003617 * DA Form 66 (Officer Qualification Record * Officer Record Brief * Calendar from 1969 * DA Form 67-7 (Officer Evaluation Report (OER)) * Letter of Appreciation for Service in Japan with Endorsements * Letter of Appreciation for Special Duty and Special Activity from U.S. Army Intelligence Agency with Endorsements * General Orders Number 9677 Award of Silver Star * General Orders Number 7823 Army Commendation Medal for Heroism * General Orders Number 8603 Bronze Star Medal for Heroism * General Orders Number 9021 Bronze Star Medal for Heroism * General Orders Number 6802 Bronze Star Medal * General Orders Number 10913 Amend Bronze Star Medal for Heroism * General Orders Number 523 Bronze Star Medal * Bronze Star Medal Citation * General Orders Number 334 Bronze Star Medal 3 OLC * Memorandum, Subject: Request for an amendment to the Bronze Star Medal * General Orders Number 173 Amend Bronze Star Medal to 4 OLC * Memorandum, Subject: Amendment of General Orders * Officer Record Brief (ORB) * Permanent Orders Number 169-1 Defense Meritorious Service Medal * Orders S99-6 Retirement Orders FACTS: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the ABCMR in Docket Number AR20200003617 on 21 September 2021. 2. Based on a review of the applicant's service records, he was awarded five awards of the Bronze Sar, two of which with a V Device. Additionally, he provides an ORB showing his service in Korea for a period of 30 months, Japan for 45 months, Vietnam for a total of 17 months, and Hawaii for 13 months, which would correct his foreign service to show a total of 8 years and 9 months that portion of the applicant's request will be administratively corrected, without Board action. 3. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states when the Bronze Star Medal is awarded for valor, a bronze letter "V" (for valor) is worn on the suspension and service ribbon of that medal. In the case of multiple "V" devices for the same award, only one "V" device is worn on the service ribbon. 4. The Board will consider the issue of his retirement awards. The applicant indicates on his DD Form 149 that he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, and states, in effect: a. He is requesting recomputation and listing of the time he served overseas and correction of his military awards from his combat in Vietnam. The number and type of Bronze Stars for meritorious service and Bronze Stars for Valor (heroism) were inaccurate. He believes the newly provided information will correct the Board's previous findings and entries and other correction to the file may result. b. His official military record could not be located, during the initial review of his records. His current request may motivate the appropriate agencies to find his original military files. c. In the 24 March 2022, reply to his initial inquiry, ARBA gave him inaccurate and insufficient credit for his time served in Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. He would like to correct his record. An accounting of his time in all three overseas assignments has been provided for the Board's consideration. d. In the 24 March 2022, reply to his initial inquiry, ARBA gave him inaccurate credit for the number and type of Bronze Star Medals. He would like to correct his record. Copies of applicable orders have been provided for the Board's consideration. e. In the 24 March 2022, reply to his initial inquiry, ARBA, the "Board" stated there were missing records, for example his entire official military records file. The fact that no DA Form 66 or no ORB were available was also noted. Copies of those and related records have been provided for the Board's consideration. There were other requests made in his initial inquiry to the Board, which he no longer wishes to pursue, but he did want to point out his disappointment with the logic of the Board. 5. The applicant's service record provides the following documents for the Board's consideration: a. DA Form 66 (Officer Qualification Record), which shows in: (1) Item 17 (Foreign Service): * US Army Pacific (USARPAC) Vietnam 5 months, 1 March 1969 to 1 August 1969 * USARPAC Hawaii 13 months, 2 August 1969 to 25 September 1970 * USARPAC Vietnam from 19 August 1971 to 18 August 1972 (2) Item 18 (Record of Assignments): * 30 March 1969 USARPAC Vietnam assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division * 1 April 1969 – 18 July 1969 assigned to D Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division * 19 July 1969 to on or about 29 July 1969 assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division * 30 July 1969 USARPAC Hawaii * 25 August 1971 USARPAC Vietnam (3) Item 21 (Awards and Decorations): * Army Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Parachutist Badge * Vietnam Service Medal * Air Medal * Combat Infantryman Badge * Purple Heart * Bronze Star Medal * Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device * Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device (1 OLC) * Silver Star * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation (Silver Star) * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device (2 OLC) * Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC) * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device * Bronze Star Medal (3 OLC) * Two Overseas Service Bars b. DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), for the period 3 January 1962 to ending 2 January 1965, which shows he was honorably released from active duty for expiration term of service. He had completed 3 years of net service. He was not awarded or authorized any awards. c. On 9 June 1968, the applicant entered active duty as a commissioned officer and served continuously until his length of service retirement. d. Orders Number S99-6, published by U.S. Total Army Personnel Command, on 12 July 1999 retired the applicant from active duty, effective 30 September 1999. e. DD Form 214, for the period ending 30 September 1999, which shows the applicant was honorably discharged from the Army with 31 years, 3 months, and 22 days of net service with 3 years of prior active duty service and 1 year, 3 months, and 22 days of total prior inactive service. Item 12f (Foreign Service) shows he served 6 years, 9 months, and 27 days. The DD Form 214 shows he was authorized the following awards: * Silver Star * Defense Superior Service Medal (3rd Award) * Legion of Merit (3rd Award) * Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguished Service Device "V" (3rd Award) * Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award) * Purple Heart * Defense Meritorious Service Medal * Meritorious Service Medal (5th Award) * Air Medal * Army Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguished Device V * Army Commendation Medal * Joint Meritorious Unit Award (2nd Award) * Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * American Campaign Medal * National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award) * Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Army Service Ribbon * Overseas Service Ribbon (3rd Award) * National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star (Individual) * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal * Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal First Class * Combat Infantryman Badge * Parachutist Badge * Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge * Army Staff Identification Badge 6. On 21 September 2021, the Board considered his request to correct his foreign service and awards. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. The Board recommended his corrected by amending his DD Form 214 to show the Bronze Star Medal (4th Award) vice Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award), in addition to other service awards. The Board found insufficient evidence to amend the foreign-service on the DD Form 214. 7. On 24 March 2022, the applicant was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) that * deleted Bronze Star Medal (2nd Award) and Defense Superior Service Medal (3rd Award) and * added Bronze Star Medal (4th Award), Korea Defense Service Medal, and Defense Distinguished Service Medal (3rd Award) 8. The applicant provides a self-authored letter, which included documentation, for the Board's consideration which states in effect: a. He thanks the Board for working to clarify and make accurate his military records. After receiving the Board's response, which he included and highlighted so the Board could see the issues that remain, he was able to access old paper copies and microfiche copies of his military record and hard copies of some records, which he believes are applicable to the issues at hand. b. In his view, the issues that remain are his total time in overseas service, awards notably his Bronze Star Medals, his retirement award from the U.S. Army, and where his records were. c. Issue 1: Total time in overseas service: Republic of South Vietnam (1st Assignment): (1) He believes the Board credited him with two months of service in Vietnam from April 1969 to June 1969. (2) According to the hard copy of his DA Form 66, dated 18 December 1968 and updated 8 October 1973, and according to other records and his memory, he arrived in Vietnam on or about 20 March 1969 and in-processed. (3) One of the informal "recorded" memories he has of this period was that he was present at Dong Tam, which was where newly arriving Soldiers were received to complete their in-country familiarization training. He had been there for two days when the base camp was attacked, and the ammunition dump exploded on the night of 25 to 26 March 1969. He provides a photo and an article about that event. The photo and article are available for the Board's review. (4) Following this event, he and all others were next day processed for assignment to field infantry units, without further training. His in-country orientation training was supposed to last for six days and lasted for only one day. (5) He was assigned to Fire Support Base Danger deep in the Mekong Delta and proceeded there as quickly as transport would allow. The effective date of this assignment seems to be 30 March 1969. According to his ORB and DA Form 66, he was reassigned while at Fire Support Danger from duty as a platoon leader on 19 July and again on 30 July 1969 to duty as a Liaison Officer where he was a Sniper Platoon Leader for five days, 81mm Mortar Platoon Leader for 6 days, and Rear Guard Security Officer for 7 days. If that is accurate, he may have left Vietnam on or about 18 days after 19 July 1969 depending on the absolute details of that tumultuous period. (6) The record states he was assigned to USARPAC on 3 August 1969, but that is not accurate. That is the reassignment date for all of the members of his unit who withdrew from Vietnam during the 1969 drawdown, which was chaotic for some Soldiers. He remained behind to close out the camp and turn it over to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. He includes a photo of himself and a Vietnamese Police Chief during this final period of service in Vietnam in August 1969 for the Board's consideration. (7) This information would comport approximately with his unrecorded arrival in Hawaii in August 1969. He was in the hospital on light duty for a couple of weeks and then assigned to the Hawaii National Guard on 15 September 1969 and subsequently to a unit with the 25th Infantry Division during a period of post-Vietnam confusion and administrative turmoil. The next entry in his record is on or about 6 December 1969 when he was assigned to the 27th Infantry. (8) Bottom Line: The records (and his memories, partially documented with other records and images) indicate that he arrived in Vietnam on or about 20 March 1969 (not 1 March 1969) and served in Vietnam continuously until about 11 August 1969. That would compute to 10-11 days in March, all of April, May, June, and July and 10 days in August 1969 for a total of (+-) 4 months and 21 days. The DA Form 66 clearly gives him credit for five months of duty in Vietnam in 1969, not the 2 months the Board credited to him. d. Republic of South Vietnam (2nd Assignment): (1) His second tour in Vietnam was from 19 August 1971 to 18 August 1972, which constitutes 12 months. (2) His DA Form 66 from 18 December 1968 and updated on 8 October 1973 indicates he was assigned to the Phung Hoang Program with duty as the Province Phung Hoang Program advisor on or about 19 August 1971 and was reassigned from that duty on or about 18 August 1972. Depending on how this duty is counted, that is approximately 12 months. (3) Bottom Line: These records indicate he should receive credit for 16 months and 20 days (+-) of duty in Vietnam during his first and second periods of assignment there. e. Japan: (1) The same DA Form 66 and other records address the issue of how long he was assigned in Japan. According to the record, he was present there from 10 August 1973 through 9 August 1976; however, this entry is wrong. (2) He was assigned to duty in Japan and arrived there on or about 10 August 1973. His normal tour would have been until August 1976 for three years. He was extended at the request of U.S. Army Japan, which was agreed to by U.S. Army Special Security Group, his parent command, but this extension was not recorded on the DA Form 66. He included his final Officer Evaluation Report (OER) from Japan and letters of appreciation for duty in Japan. He left Japan on or about 3 June 1977. (3) That effectively gives him 45 months of duty in Japan, which computes to 5.1 years of foreign service in Japan (not counting Hawaii) at this point. According to the ORB, dated October 1981. f. Republic of Korea: (1) He was assigned to duty in the Republic of Korea on 3 July 1988 and was reassigned in Korea on 6 July 1990. He departed Korea for orders to command the Army Intelligence Agency on 5 December 1990 according to his ORB. Separate awards and OER records support these dates of his arrival in Korea on 3 July 1988, a new country assignment on 6 July 1990, and departing Korea on 5 December 1990. That would give him the credited time in Korea of 29 months (approximately 2 years and 5 months). (2) Assuming that is accurate, and not counting time in Hawaii, which was viewed as an overseas assignment in those years, this should give him a total time in overseas assignments of Vietnam 17 months, Japan 45 months, and Korea 29 months, which is 7 years and 6 months. f. Issue 2: Awards - Notably his Bronze Star Awards: Using his DA Form 66 and ORB does not seem sufficient for the Board's validation purposes, although he has included several examples of those records. According to the Board's statement in their letter to him they stated "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 forces 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." (1) This indicates that general/official orders are required. He attached the applicable orders for the Board's consideration furnished primarily to "complete the record", notably in the case of his Bronze Star Medals for Valor and Bronze Star Medals for meritorious achievement, which he can assure the Board are viewed differently by him. (2) These orders and amendments indicate that he received five Bronze Star Medals, which matches the Board's determination that he holds a Bronze Star with 4 OLCs. The copies provided justify that finding and complete the record. (3) He asks the Board to review their correspondence to him recounting the findings of the Board, dated 24 March 2022, which states "We are pleased to inform you that your records have been corrected in accordance with the findings of the ABCMR. A DD Form 215 is enclosed. Attach this DD Form 215 to your appropriate DD Form 214. We have requested issuance of the following medals Distinguished Service Medal with 2 Bronze OLC, Bronze Star Medal with 3 Bronze OLC, and Korea Defense Service Medal." He includes a copy of his DD Form 214 and highlights item 12 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded and Authorized) and item 18 (Remarks). He also includes a copy of his DD Form 215 and notes his address on the form is incorrect. (4) He also includes a letter from ARBA, dated 9 March 2022, informing him the ABCMR had made a decision in his case. He included the Record of Proceedings for his previous case AR20200003617, dated 21 September 2021. He brings the following portion to the Board's attention "On 9 June 1968, the applicant entered active duty as a commissioned officer. He attained the rank/grade of Lieutenant General/O-9 and served in a variety of stateside and overseas assignments including: * Vietnam from April 1969 to June 1969 (2 months) * Vietnam from August 1971 to July 1972 (11 Months) * Camp Zama, Japan from 1973 to 1977 (~4 years) (Internet Biography) * Korea from 1 July 1988 to November 1990 (2 years and 4 months) Neither his DA Form 66 (Officer Qualification Record) nor his ORB, which would have listed his foreign service and chronological record of assignments, is available for review." "BOARD DISCUSSION: The applicant requests to have his DD Form 214 reflect that he has three Bronze Star Medals. Evidence of record shows he received a Bronze Star Medal 3 OLC, which represents he received four Bronze Star Medals; however that is not reflected on his DD Form 214. In reference to a retirements award, the Defense Distinguished Service Medal citation he received from February 1996 through July 1999 states, "The distinctive accomplishments of [the applicant] culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country...' Normally, retirement awards will show 10-year period; however, this award shows three years. The Board agreed this award given when he departed the unit and service is the retirement award he seeks. However, this in no way affects his right to pursue his claim for a retirement award by submitting a request through his Member of Congress under the provisions of Title 10 United States Code (USC), section 1130." (5) He includes a copy of his DA Form 66 highlighting item 17 (Foreign Service), which shows: * 18 March 1969 to 11 August 1969 USARPAC Republic of Vietnam, 5 months * 2 August 1969 to 25 September 1970 USARPAC Hawaii, 13 Months * 19 August 1971 to 18 August 1972 USARPACK Republic of Vietnam, 12 months * 10 August 1973 to 9 August 1976, Japan (6) On the DA Form 66 highlighted area, it gives him credit as shown above. This record assigns credit for 17 months of service in the Republic of Vietnam in combat. Just short of five months as an infantry lieutenant in combat and 12 months as a military intelligence advisor in the Phoenix Program, in combat. (7) He also brings attention to item 18 (Record of Assignment) of his DA Form 66, which shows: * 2 January 1962 to 1 January 1965 Enlisted Service Specialist Five * 2 January 1965 to 8 June 1968 U.S. Army Reserve not on Active Duty * 19 March 1969 0001 Casual Enroute to USARPAC - Vietnam Non-Duty Days 11 * 30 March 1969 0001 Days Unassigned HHC, 4th Bn, 39th Inf, 9th Inf Div USARPAC Non-Duty Days 2 * 1 April 1969 1542 Platoon Leader (Counterinsurgency) Co D, 4th Bn,39th Inf, 9th Inf Div USARPAC Non-Duty Days 0 * 19 July 1969 1542 LNO HHC, 4th Bn, 39th Inf 9th Inf Div USARPAC Non- Duty Days 0 * 30 July 1969 1542 LNO HHC, 4th Bn, 39th Inf 9th Inf Div USARPAC Non- Duty Days 0 * 15 September 1969 0600 Motor Transportation Officer, HHC, 1st Bn 299th Inf, 29th Inf Bde USARPAC (Hawaii) Non-Duty Days 30 * 6 December 1969 2110 Asst Bn S-1 HHC, 3rd Bn, 27th Inf, 4th Bde, 25th Inf Div USARPAC (Hawaii) Non-Duty Days 0 * 4 August 1973 0001 Casual Enroute to US Army Pacific Japan * 10 August 1973 9300 Strategic Intelligence Staff Officer Zama Detachment (Japan) US Army Special Security Group Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Washington, DC (8) According to these entries, he arrived in Japan between 4 August 1973 and 10 August 1973. His "assignment date" to the Camp Zama Detachment of U.S. Army Special Security Group was 10 August 1973. No departure date is listed on this page of his ORB; however, on the first page of the ORB it does list 10 August 1973 through 9 August 1976 as time assigned in Japan. This calculates to 21 Days (August 1973), 4 months (September through December 1973), 12 months (1974), 12 months (1975), and 7 months and 9 days (1976) for a total time in Japan of 36 months (3 years). However, he did not leave Japan until June 1977. (9) He includes an "Insert Page" to his DA Form 66 which shows a list of awards that he received and is available for the Board's review. There is conflicting information present on this DA Form 66 and the dates may not match dates of action and/or dates of events. In order to try to provide the best information, he has he provided copies of his orders for the Board's consideration. (10) He includes a copy of his ORB, dated October 1981, and highlights his overseas duty, which shows June 1977, Japan 45 months, August 1979 Vietnam 12 months, September 1970 Hawaii 13 months, and August 1969 Vietnam 5 months. He also highlights a section showing his date returned from overseas as 3 June 1977 that comports with his assignment history. (11) His assignment history shows he received a new assignment as a Liaison Officer at Fire Support Base Danger in July 1969, which is accurate. He was assigned as the close out and rear security officer for the base as his unit was leaving and the fire base was being turned over to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. At some point in August 1969, he departed, last man out, and made his way to Dong Tam and to Saigon and from there to Hawaii. If this sound plausible and chaotic, it was, but it happened that way. He includes a yearly calendar from 1969 with the dates of 20 March 1969 and 21 August 1969 circles. His total months/days in country for his first assignment to Vietnam was 5 months and 1 day. (12) His ORB shows his second assignment in Vietnam as being assigned to Corps Bien Hoa on or about August 1971. It shows he was assigned as the Phung Hoang Coordinator. In March 1972, he was assigned to a new title, while still in the same initial assignment, which should actually be listed as an additional title. (13) In May 1973, he was listed again as the Phung Hoang Coordinator. The next entry shows he was assigned to Camp Zama, Japan in August 1973. The interim period between his assignment as Phung Hoang Coordinator in Vietnam and subsequent assignment to the Camp Zama Detachment was the period during which he attended the Military Intelligence Officer's Advanced Course, which is not accounted for in the listing of assignments. (14) This listing shows he was assigned as Command Officer of the Zama Detachment in June 1976 but does not indicate when he departed from this position, which we now know from other records was June 1977. (15) Just for record completion and coherence, the next entry shows he was assigned in June 1978 to the U.S. Army Intel Operations Detachment at the Pentagon, Washing DC as a Foreign Liaison Officer, which is accurate. The time between departing from Japan in June 1977 and being assigned to the Pentagon in June 1978 was the year he attended U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, again not listed on this listing. (16) Bottom line: These records indicate he should receive credit for 16 months of duty in Vietnam and 45 months of duty in Japan. This computers to 5 (+-) years of foreign service (not counting Hawaii, at this point. (17) The applicant provides a DA Form 67-7 (OER) for the period of 1 November 1976 through 3 June 1977, which he states is his last OER in Japan. His unit of assignment lists him in Camp Zama, Japan. He also includes a letter of appreciation, dated 2 June 1977 from Special Representative Japan as well as an endorsement to the letter. (18) He provides a letter of appreciation, dated 13 April 1977 which refers to relocating from Camp Zama Japan to Seoul, Republic of Korea as well as an endorsement to the letter. (19) The applicant completed a list of awards and decorations he received as well as their order numbers, which is available for the Board's review. Assuming his list is accurate, he received four awards for valor in combat including one Silver Star, one Army Commendation Medal, and two Bronze Stars for Valor. He received additional Bronze Stars for meritorious service, including one for specific events in June and July 1972 for a total of five Bronze Star Medals. (20) The reason for having three Bronze Stars for Valor on his records had to do with the way in which the Bronze Star for the June to July 1972 period was written and because he knew the details of the events of that period. However, in the context of the classified program, he was serving in, and because of the differences between Third Regional Assistance Command and his parent command, and the environment in a small advisory team, where even fellow team members did not know what others on the team were involved with in the course of their duties, there was considerable administrative uncertainty and ambiguity. This, in his experience, is not unusual in the case where US Army personnel in classified or restricted programs in Vietnam. (21) The applicant includes a memorandum subject Request for an amendment to the Bronze Star Medal, dated 12 February 1973, wherein there is a request to amend orders to show the applicant had received the Bronze Star Medal 4 OLC. The memorandum is unsigned. (22) On 20 February 1973, a signed memorandum, shows the orders were amended to show the applicant had received the Bronze Star Medal 4 OLC as requested. (23) The applicant provides and ORB, dated 15 September 1993, which he highlights the overseas duty, which shows an addition of service in Korea for 30 months. He was credited with 30 months in Korea, 45 months in Japan, 12 months in Vietnam, 13 months in Hawaii, and 5 months in Vietnam. His last date of return from overseas was 5 December 1990 when he returned from Korea. (24) According to the Awards and Decorations section of the ORB, he was credited with one Silver Star, three Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars for meritorious service, three Bronze Stars for Valor, and one Purple Heart along with other awards and decorations. (25) He also includes Permanent Orders 169-1, published by United States Forces Korea, dated 27 November 1990 awarding him the Defense Meritorious Service Medal for meritorious service from 26 June 1990 through 30 November 1990. (26) The applicant provides his retirement orders highlighting the following: * Active Federal Service: 34 years, 3 months, 22 days * Service for 1405: 34 years, 4 months, 12 days * Service for Basic Pay: 35 years, 7 months, 14 days g. Issue 3: Retirement Award from U.S. Army. He has no desire to prolong this issue or further concern himself with is, but he is compelled to say that the logic of the Board is, in his opinion, wrong. h. The award he received at the end of his service at the Defense Intelligence Agency is just that, for the period of service at the "Joint" agency. There was no retirement award awarded to him for his years of honorable service in the US Army that traditionally are recognized with service-originated retirement recognition. To think otherwise seems to him to ignore the facts. i. To suggest that he should appeal this issue to his Congressional Representative is frankly insulting and emblematic of some of the problems "we" are having regarding military service. This is an invitation for time, energy, and money to be expended by political authorities about something that the Secretary of the Army's office could consider and rectify - no matter what their decision might be. j. Issue 4: Where are his records: This issue, to him, is a personal concern. Having retired as a Lieutenant General from a "Joint" agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and having received numerous communications and reminders of his service over the years since he retired on 30 September 1999, from the US Army and other organizations with which he was associated, he finds it incomprehensible that his records cannot be found. For that reason, he is and will continue to search for his missing records. k. Based on the records submitted in this communication, he respectfully requests the Board give him 7 years and 6 months credit for overseas service commensurate with the records of assigned and participation provided. Based on the General and Special orders provided, he requests that the Board give him credit for five awards of the Bronze Star, two of which are with V Device for Valor. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was partially warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. a. Based on review of the applicant’s DD Form 214, DA Form 66, the multiple General Orders, and various governing regulations, The Board determined his foreign service is incorrectly computed and/or listed on his DD Form 214. As a result, the Board determined his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show the correct foreign service. b. The Board also determined that the applicant was awarded five awards of the Bronze Star Medal, two of which with a V Device for heroism. The Board note that although more than one award of the Bronze Star Medal may be made for heroism to the same person, only one “V” device may be worn on awards of these medals. For that reason, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show the Bronze Star Medal (5th Award) with "V" Device. c. As far as a retirement award, the Board noted that three is no award recommendation on file or provided by the applicant to consider. By regulation, with the exception the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, and Distinguished Service Medal, each recommendation for an award of a military decoration must be entered administratively into military channels within 2 years of the act, achievement, or service to be honored. An award recommendation will be considered to have been submitted into military channels when it has been signed by the initiating officer and endorsed by a higher official in the chain of command. There is no award recommendation on file or provided by the applicant to consider. Nevertheless, while the available evidence is insufficient for consider a retirement award, this in no way affects his right to pursue his claim for a retirement award by submitting a request through his Member of Congress under the provisions of Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1130. 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 amendment of the ABCMR's decision in Docket Number AR20200003617, dated 21 September 2021. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: * deleting from item 12f the entry 6 years, 9 months, and 27 days and adding the entry 8 years, 9 months, and 0 days. * deleting from item 13 the Bronze Star Medal (4th Award) and adding the Bronze Star Medal with V Device (2nd Award)//Bronze Star Medal (3rd Award)//Republic of Vietnam Service Medal (Silver Star)//Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Silver Star (Individual) 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 a retirement award. 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. REFERENCE: Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1130 (10 USC 1130) provides: a. The legal authority for consideration of proposals for decorations not previously submitted in a timely fashion. Upon the request of a Member of Congress, the Secretary concerned shall review a proposal for the award of or upgrading of a decoration. Based upon such review, the Secretary shall determine the merits of approving the award. b. The request, with a DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award), must be submitted through a Member of Congress to: Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command (AHRC-PDP-A), 1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Fort Knox, KY 40122. The unit must be clearly identified, along with the period of assignment and the recommended award. A narrative of the actions or period for which recognition is being requested must accompany the DA Form 638. Requests should be supported by sworn affidavits, eyewitness statements, certificates, and related documents. Supporting evidence is best provided by commanders, leaders, and fellow Soldiers who had personal knowledge of the facts relative to the request. The burden and costs for researching and assembling supporting documentation rest with the applicant. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220006601 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1