2. The applicant requests that his military records be corrected to reflect award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart and Silver Star.
3. Records available to the Board indicate the applicant initially entered active duty on 23 March 1967 and was assigned to Vietnam as an infantryman (specialty 11B) with the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment from September 1967 through September 1968. According to his service medical records he sustained multiple fragment wounds to his right thigh on 4 January 1968 when he was hit by enemy mortar fire. Although not a part of his personnel file, his medical records indicate he was awarded the Purple Heart on orders published by the 3rd Field Hospital in Vietnam on
5 January 1968.
4. The applicant departed Vietnam in September 1968 and completed his initial enlistment at Fort Jackson, South Carolina where he was released from active duty on 21 March 1969. His separation document does not reflect entitlement to the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart or Silver Star.
5. On 20 February 1970 the applicant reenlisted. Following training in the communications field he returned to Vietnam for a second tour of duty in September 1970. He returned to the United States in September 1971 and on 12 January 1972 was again released from active duty.
6. There are basically three requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. The soldier must be an infantryman (11 series specialty), assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must have actively participated in such ground combat.
7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Purple Heart is awarded for wounds 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. Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides that the Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against the enemy. The required gallantry (spirited and conspicuous acts of heroism and courage) must have been performed with marked distinction. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. A telephonic inquiry to the Armys Awards Branch indicated that a search of the Vietnam era awards files failed to reveal an award of the Silver Star to the applicant during either tour of duty in Vietnam.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The evidence of record confirms the applicant was an infantryman assigned to an infantry element while that element was engaged in combat during his first tour of duty in Vietnam. As such he is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
2. His service medical records confirm he was wounded as a result of hostile action on 4 January 1968.
3. There is no evidence, and the applicant has not provided any which confirms he was ever recommended for, or awarded the Silver Star during either of his tours of duty in Vietnam.
4. In view of the foregoing, it would be appropriate to correct the applicants records as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:
a. by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained as a result of hostile action on 4 January 1968 while in Vietnam; and
b. by awarding him the Combat Infantryman Badge for his service as an infantryman during his initial tour of duty in Vietnam.
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
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A separation physical examination, conducted on 18 July 1968 makes no mention of any wounds or injuries sustained as a result of hostile action but does note the hematoma. However, telephonic information received from the Armys Awards Branch indicated that infantry soldiers assigned to cavalry units were also routinely awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge during the Vietnam era. The applicant served as an infantryman assigned to a cavalry element while assigned to Vietnam.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002068804C070402
The applicant requests, in effect, that his records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal, the appropriate number of "campaign stars" on his Vietnam Service Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, and an undefined "V" award. There is no evidence, and the applicant has not provided any, that he was ever recommended for, or awarded a Bronze Star Medal. The Board notes that the Combat Action Ribbon is a Navy/Marine Corps award and as such,...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090005086
General orders awarded the applicant the Purple Heart for wounds received in action by a hostile force on 27 April 1968 which is not shown on his DD Form 214; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. The evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. 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 Good Conduct Medal (1st...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002070806C070402
The applicant requests that his records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal with "V" device. His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not reflect entitlement to the Purple Heart, or a Bronze Star Medal with "V" device. As such, the Board concludes that it would be appropriate, and in the interest of justice to confirm award of the Bronze Star Medal but amend the period of the award to coincide with his...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100010269
The citation reads "For wounds received in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 11 February 1968." Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained while in action against an enemy or 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 adding to item 24 of his DD Form: * Purple Heart * Valorous Unit Award * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100027073
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant's DA Form 20 shows he was awarded the Purple Heart. The evidence shows: * item 41 of his DA Form 20 cites 9th Infantry Division General Order Number 2703 for awarding the Purple Heart * 9th Infantry Division General Order Number 2703 awards him the Purple Heart for wounds received on 17 April 1968 * the Vietnam casualty listing lists him as being...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100015440
There are no orders in his military personnel records that show he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal, and Purple Heart with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster. The evidence of record confirms he was awarded the Purple Heart, Silver Star, and Army Commendation Medal, and these awards are not listed on his DD Form 214. 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...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120009808
A review of the applicant's military personnel records failed to reveal any evidence he was awarded the Purple Heart or the Combat Infantryman Badge. He was wounded in action against a hostile force in the RVN on 12 May 1968. c. Thus, the available evidence supports award of the Combat Infantryman Badge in this case. 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...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100019648
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). There is no evidence in the applicant's military personnel records that shows he was wounded or treated for wounds 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. awarding the applicant the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 July 1968; b. deleting from...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100028450
There are no orders or other evidence in the applicant's military personnel records that show he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Awards and Decorations), appendix V, states that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted Soldiers who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11D, 11F, 11G, or 11H. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected...