2.  The applicant requests correction of his records to reflect that he was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries suffered in Vietnam.  He also requests a copy of the award certificate for his Air Medal.  (He had previously requested the Air Medal certificate and was advised by the US Army Reserve Personnel Center (ARPERCEN) on 30 August 1993 that they were temporarily out of certificates and that he should resubmit his request in 6 months).

3.  He states that he was wounded as the result of enemy action in Vietnam on 22 July 1970 and through an oversight his unit commander failed to identify him for award of the Purple Heart.  In support of his request he provides copies of medical records reflecting his treatment for an injury sustained during an enemy attack on his unit and statements from his unit commander at the time and three other former members of the unit.

4.  His military records show that he was inducted on 17 September 1969 and served 10 months and 11 days in Vietnam.  He was honorably discharged on 2 September 1971.  His awards include the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, the Air Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

5.  The applicant’s medical records reflect that on 22 July 1970 he was treated for traumatic, bilateral hearing loss following an attack on his unit in which small arms, satchel charges and rifle propelled grenades were used by the enemy. The date and circumstances of the attack are substantiated by the witness statements submitted with his application.

6.  Additionally, the statement from his former unit commander corroborates the events in question and takes responsibility for not ensuring the applicant received a Purple Heart for his participation, since he, the commander, knew that the applicant was present during the attack and had been wounded.  Moreover, the applicant’s actions in defense of his unit resulted in his being awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device for heroism.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained as the result of hostile action.  Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that the wound was the result of hostile action, the wound must have required treatment by a medical officer, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant was injured during an enemy attack on his unit resulting in bilateral hearing trauma, which is reflected in his medical record.

2.  There is no evidence in the record that he was furnished an Air Medal certificate as he requested, therefore, the ARPERCEN will be requested to furnish him one.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained on 22 July 1970 as a result of hostile enemy action in Vietnam.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON