APPLICANT REQUESTS: That he be awarded the Purple Heart for wounds suffered in Vietnam.
APPLICANT STATES: That he was wounded by shrapnel on 11 November 1969 and never received the Purple Heart for his wound.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He enlisted in the Regular Army on 22 June 1970 and served 1 year, 6 months and 20 days in Vietnam as a light weapons infantryman. He was honorably discharged on 21 June 1976 in the grade of staff sergeant.
His awards include the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with V device, the Bronze Star Medal with V device, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Marksmanship Badge with rifle bar.
The applicants enlisted qualification record contains no entry in the section entitled wounds. Neither does his medical record show that he was ever treated for an injury, incident to combat, during his Vietnam tour of duty.
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. Based on the available personnel and medical records, there is no evidence that he suffered a combat related injury that would qualify him for award of the Purple Heart.
2. While the record shows that the applicant participated in combat operations and was awarded several medals for heroism, this fact, in itself, does not warrant award of the Purple Heart. Unfortunately, there is no independent confirmation of a combat wound which is a necessary element in convincing this Board to authorize the Purple Heart.
3. In view of the foregoing, there appears to be no basis for granting the applicants request.
DETERMINATION: The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.
BOARD VOTE:
GRANT
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
DENY APPLICATION
Karl F. Schneider
Acting Director
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