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.
3. He states that he was awarded the Purple Heart on 21 June 1970 after being wounded in Vietnam. However, it was never reflected on his DD Form 214.
4. His military records show that he was inducted on 9 July 1969 and served 11 months and 26 days in Vietnam before being honorably discharged on 8 July 1971 in pay grade E-4. His DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Marksman Badge with rifle bar.
5. The applicants medical records reflect that on 21 June 1970 he reported to the battalion aid station supporting his unit in Vietnam for treatment of a fragment wound to his left hand. The record further reflects that a medical officer removed a small metallic fragment from his left hand and after appropriate treatment he was returned to full duty.
6. On 7 September 1970 he was diagnosed with combat exhaustion following the loss of 27 members of his company in combat during the preceding month. He was removed to a rear area and treated with rest and medication and eventually returned to his unit in the field.
7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 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.
8. The same regulation provides that it is not intended that such a strict interpretation be taken of the requirement for the wound or injury to be caused by direct result of hostile action that it would preclude the award being made to deserving personnel.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Based on the evidence of record it does appear that the applicant was wounded in Vietnam and should have been
awarded the Purple Heart. While the medical record does not make clear that his wound was the result of hostile action, collateral documentation diagnosing him with combat exhaustion indicates that his unit was deeply involved in combat operations. Therefore, in keeping with the spirit of the regulation, he should be awarded the Purple Heart.
2. In view of the foregoing, the applicants 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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in Vietnam.
BOARD VOTE:
GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
DENY APPLICATION
CHAIRPERSON
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110014610
The applicant states: * he served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 3 April 1969 through 2 April 1971 * on 2 February 1970, he incurred and was later diagnosed with residual shell fragment wound, left leg, left foot, left side, and right thigh * his wounds were the result of a fragmentation hand grenade exploding also injuring another Soldier * he received medical treatment at the local medical hospital and he was presented the Purple Heart by a captain assigned to the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100017314
Army Regulation 600-8-22 also states the Purple Heart was awarded for an injury or wound sustained as a result of hostile action. The evidence of record also shows he had "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings during his service in the Army, he attained the rank and pay grade of sergeant/E-5, served in Vietnam, and was wounded in action. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the Purple...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090003778
The rating decision states the applicant had been treated for a wound he sustained to his left knee in February 1969. The applicant was wounded a second time in the left knee, in February 1969. While the evidence shows he received treatment by medical personnel for a wound that he sustained to his left knee, there is no evidence that shows he was wounded as a result of hostile action.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002076502C070215
However, medical evidence of record shows the applicant’s left knee condition existed prior to his entry in the Army. The applicant received the first award of the Combat Medical Badge; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this badge. However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in one campaign during his assignment in Vietnam which is not correctly shown by award of one bronze service star for wear on his Vietnam Service Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090014914
This form also states that no evidence the Purple Heart was awarded at this hospital. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provides that the Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who have completed a qualified period of active duty enlisted service. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 22 May 1970 in the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100016704
Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained while in action against an enemy or as a result of hostile action. The evidence of record shows he was wounded on 10 January 1971 as a result of hostile action. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from item 24 of his DD Form 214 the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star; b. awarding him the Army...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040011270C070208
Jeanette R. McCants | |Member | The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Item 24 (Decoration, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant's DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show award of the Purple Heart. The applicant's records show that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080002466
The applicant requests, in effect, that he be awarded the Purple Heart. Despite the lack of an entry in the Vietnam Casualty List and the failure of the hospital medical evacuation system to award him the Purple Heart, the available evidence shows the applicant sustained a fragmentation wound to the right arm from an artillery shell while he was on Hill #666 in Vietnam on 11 June 1970. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003086688C070212
However, his records do show that he was awarded a temporary physical profile for temporary duty restrictions due to multiple fragment wounds – (L) Hand and Wrist: contusion of left median nerve. Although the applicant's medical records are not available for the Board to review, the Board finds it reasonable to presume that he was in fact wounded in action against the enemy on 19 June 1970, the date he was evacuated. RECOMMENDATION : That all of the Department of the Army records related...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080010126
The evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award based on completion of a qualifying period of Federal military service. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding the applicant the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 28 April 1970 in the Republic of Vietnam; b. awarding the applicant the...