APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to show that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM), the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM), the Vietnam Campaign Medal (VCM), the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar, the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), the Good Conduct Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Purple Heart and 2 Overseas Service Bars.  In support of his request he provides a copy of a picture showing a head wound he received while in Vietnam, a copy of an ARCOM award certificate naming him as the recipient, a copy of his enlisted qualification record and a copy of DA Form 1577, Authorization for Issuance of Awards, furnished him by the US Army Reserve Personnel Center (ARPERCEN).

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that his record is incomplete because it does not list all the awards to which he is entitled.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

He was inducted on 26 May 1966 and after training as a Field Artilleryman served 11 months and 28 days in Vietnam.  He was honorably discharged on 29 April 1968.

His DD Form 214 shows that upon discharge he had been awarded the NDSM, the VSM, the VCM and the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar.  Per his request to the ARPERCEN, it was determined that he was also entitled to the ARCOM, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm.  On 31 January 1994 the ARPERCEN recorded the corrections to his record by issuing him DD Form 215, Correction of DD Form 214, reflecting the aforementioned awards.

Considering the applicant’s request, the only three awards still in question concern the Presidential Unit Citation, the Purple Heart and 2 Overseas Service Bars.

The record contains no evidence that he was assigned to a unit that was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, nor that he was wounded as the result of hostile action and awarded the Purple Heart.  It does, however, show that he is authorized 2 Overseas Service Bars.

The Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, DA Pamphlet 672-3, lists units which have been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained as a 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.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The applicant’s request for awards was administratively granted by the ARPERCEN except for the Presidential Unit Citation, the Purple Heart and 2 Overseas Service Bars.

2.  There is no evidence in his record to indicate that he was awarded a Purple Heart or that he was assigned to a unit listed in the campaign register that was authorized the Presidential Unit Citation.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there appears to be no basis for granting the applicant’s request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

NOTE:  Notwithstanding the foregoing conclusions, the record shows that he is entitled to 2 Overseas Service Bars.  Therefore, the Commander, ARPERCEN will be requested to issue a correction to his DD Form 214 showing the award.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT          

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




						Karl F. Schneider
						Acting Director