IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 19 February 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140012161 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests reconsideration of his previous request for award of the Purple Heart. 2. He states the DD Form 1380 (U.S. Field Medical Card) considered in the previous consideration of his case contained only the basic information "wasp sting," which was sufficient at the time to get him the medical help he needed. Other DD Forms 1380 would read shrapnel. He was not listed on the Vietnam Casualty Listing, but the DD Form 1380 indicates he was a casualty. Clerks in Vietnam did as little as possible to get by. He did receive medical treatment. His records do not tell his story or show what he did or earned. He has provided a letter from his platoon leader stating his injury was more than a wasp sting. He also states, in effect, that he was the victim of a booby trap. 3. He provides self-authored statements, a letter from Mr. CWD, and the Record of Proceedings for the previous consideration of his case. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20120022071, on 9 July 2013. 2. The applicant has provided new evidence and argument that warrants consideration by the Board. 3. He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 20 March 1968. After completing initial entry training, he was awarded military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman). 4. He was assigned to duty in Vietnam with Troop F, 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, from 22 August 1968 to 9 August 1969. 5. On 19 March 1970, he was honorably released from active duty. 6. Item 40 (Wounds) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows no entries for wounds received in action. 7. Review of his record failed to reveal any documentation indicating he was wounded in action or that he was awarded the Purple Heart. His name is not listed on the Vietnam Casualty Roster. 8. Review of the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the Awards and Decorations Branch of the U.S. Army HRC, failed to reveal any orders for the PH pertaining to the applicant. 9. In support of his previous application he provided a DD Form 1380 showing he received a wasp sting while setting out a trip flare on 29 September 1968. He was treated with ice, Darvon, and a dressing. The form also indicates the injury was a result of enemy action. 10. In support of his request for reconsideration he provides a letter, dated 18 November 2013, from Mr. CWD, who states he was the applicant's platoon leader during the period in question. Mr. CWD states the applicant was severely stung by a nest of hornets disturbed as he placed a trip flare on the perimeter. The incident occurred on 29 September 1968 while setting up a night defensive position outside their base camp. The applicant was stung repeatedly in the face, neck, and hands, and he was treated by the platoon medic. The following morning, he was escorted to the squadron's medical unit for further observation and treatment. He returned to the platoon a few days later. Mr. CWD states he has no recollection of any further issues involving the matter. 11. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the PH is awarded for a wound sustained while in action against an enemy or as a result of hostile action. Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify the wound was the result of hostile action, the wound must have required treatment by medical personnel, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence of record shows that the applicant was injured by wasp stings during his service in Vietnam and that his injury required treatment by medical personnel. Unfortunately, there is no substantiating evidence that the wasp stings were the result of hostile action. 2. Absent documentary evidence confirming that the wasps that stung him were placed by a hostile force for the purpose of injuring opposing forces, there is an insufficient basis for awarding him the Purple Heart. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ____X___ ____X___ ____X___ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20120022071, dated 9 July 2013. _______ _ _X_____ ___ CHAIRPERSON 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. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140012161 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140012161 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1