How do I get proof of my blanket bronze star?

CPL Luke Bast — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 15:07:12 -0400

I was ordered a blanket bronze star while overseas. Someone told me my DD214 have my deployment orders and that is my proof of the bronze star. Yet many people will not except this as proof. I don't know how to prove this as actual ordered paperwork or documents. How can i figure this out to find anything of proof?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2018 4:47 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 16:47:53 -0400

The way I understand it, even if it's a "blanket award," there should be a DA Form 638 Awards Recommendation. However, if it does have a completely different process for the "blanket," what you can do is submit a request to the National Archives to receive any and ALL US Military paperwork that has your name on it. If there are orders giving you the Bronze Star, then it should turn up in that search. Or, you can try contacting your old unit and see if they still might have records. Because, it is correct that simple deployment orders sending you to theater and a DD 214 will not be enough. Actual Award Recommendation with signatures and Order Number, or the certificate with an Order Number (both would be better for certain).

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 15 at 2018 5:25 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 17:25:06 -0400

Whoever issued the orders will have a copy of them, even if it's s Memo for record.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2018 10:46 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Oct 2018 22:46:47 -0400

Never heard of a a Bronze Star being issued that way - blanket. Each award for a Bronze Star has its own citation and supporting documentation (Signed DA638 with Orders #). The only "blanket" type awards are unit citations. If I'm wrong - I'm sure an AG type will correct me...but I don't think I am.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2018 8:39 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 08:39:47 -0400

The BSM is not a "blanket award". That would require a DA 638 with four achievements and a citation, approved by a general officer.
The CIB and CAB can be awarded with a by-name roster, (this is what is normally referred to as a "blanket award")
Unit awards (PUC, MUC, JMUA) only require your deployment orders showing you were deployed with the right unit during the time frame.
Your DD 214 would list all awards that were complete in your records at the time of separation. Some documents may have reached your record after you separated.
You can access your records here:
https://www.hrcapps.army.mil/portal/
follow the instructions halfway down the right side for creating a DS Login for veterans.

Portal - Login

You are accessing a U.S. Government (USG) Information System (IS) that is provided for USG-authorized use only.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 17 at 2018 11:35 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 17 Oct 2018 23:35:28 -0400

So you don't have the 638 or the certificate? either of which would bear the permanent order number and the issuing HQ.

We are talking a Bronze Star Medal (BSM), correct? This is a Division Commander level award at a minimum. You need to contact the S1 of the issuing HQ and get the Permanent Orders, certificate, and 638. If you are no longer in an active status (AD, drilling reservist, etc) you need to request your records from NPRC. As a favor, please take your SSN off and post what a blanket Bronze Star looks like. Have never seen that.

Are you referring to the bronze campaign star appurtenance for the campaign medal? That should just take your deployment orders to the approved AOR. A copy of the manifests is usually what is used. If they want more print two LESs showing your combat zone exclusion and special pays only authorized in theater. You'll need the date range and double check that off the authorized campaigns for that operation. I can't speak to reserve components, but active duty they update your ERB/ORB on redeployment during reintegration or right before you redeploy when the S1 is looking for stuff to do. They use the deployment and redeployment manefests to verify

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Oct 18 at 2018 3:21 AM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 03:21:10 -0400

"Blanket Bronze Star" - Is that a type of Participation Award now?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2018 4:33 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 04:33:03 -0400

A dd214 doesn’t have deployment orders attachedd. However, you should have copies of all of your deployment orders.
If you received a BSM, shouldn’t there be a 638 attached? Also,please explain ‘blanket bronze star’. I’m not sure I’m understanding what you mean.

You could always call your old unit or HRC, maybe get lucky, and they’ll have some paperwork.
Best of luck.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Oct 18 at 2018 12:13 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 12:13:53 -0400

Whoa big fella, there is no such animal as a "blanket bronze star" each medal is awarded as an individual award submitted on a separate DA 638 and processed on its own merit. When awarded the orders will have an orders number as will the certificate that should match. Look at AR 600-8-22. You can google it and download a PDF copy to read.

You may be confusing the small bronze campaign star that goes on your service ribbon which would be what we all commonly consider and refer to as a " blanket award" because everyone who serves in that theatre and meets the requirement and eligibility periods in AR 600-8-22 may be authorized one. The fact that someone told you "your deployment orders count as proof" leads me to believe that they were talking about a service medal and the bronze campaign star that would be attached to it for your period of service which would be a true statement.

You would not be the first to make this mistake. I was helping an old veteran put his uniform together for a function he was to be honored at and he told me had 6 bronze stars, His DD214 showed 2, and six bronze campaign stars for Vietnam. Over the years the two had morphed into 6 bronze stars.
Hope this helps.

Response by CPL Matthew Kimbrough made Aug 18 at 2021 7:14 PM

CPL Matthew Kimbrough — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 19:14:22 -0400

I was originally put in for a BSM by our LT on the same day my PHM got submitted. However, a jealous fellow NCO in my platoon got it downgraded to a ACM. How do I go about fixing this? Action was May 4th, 2004 on Route Crazy, Hib-Hib Baqubah, Iraq IED-Armed Ambush