2.  The applicant requests that his DD Form 214, Report of Transfer or Discharge, be corrected to reflect that he was awarded the Purple Heart, multiple awards of the Air Medal and any other awards he is authorized as shown in his records.

3.  In support of his request for the Purple Heart he provides a copy of a Purple Heart Certificate naming him as the recipient.  He states that the record is incomplete because it does not show all of the awards he earned while in Vietnam.

4.  His military records reveal that he was inducted on 3 October 1966 and served 11 months and 26 days in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged on 8 September 1968.

5.  His DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Aircraft Crewman Badge.  There is no indication on the DD Form 214 that he was awarded the Purple Heart or oak leaf clusters to the Air Medal.

6.  The applicant’s military personnel file contains documentation that he was awarded the basic Air Medal.  Additionally, he is also authorized the Good Conduct Medal and the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides that oak leaf clusters are issued to denote award of second and succeeding awards of decorations.  In the case of the Air Medal, however, arabic numerals are issued to reflect second and succeeding awards.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board accepts that the Purple Heart Certificate provided with his request is authentic and that he is, therefore, authorized to have the Purple Heart reflected on his DD Form 214.

2.  Likewise, the DD Form 214 should be corrected to show that he is entitled to the Good Conduct Medal and the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar.

3.  There is no evidence of record, however, that he was awarded more than the basic award of the Air Medal.  Since this award is already shown on the DD Form 214 no change or correction regarding the Air Medal is warranted.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in Vietnam and that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal and the Sharpshooter Badge with rifle bar.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON