2. The applicant requests award of the Purple Heart (PH).
3. The applicant states, in effect, on 19 August 1966, his Recon Platoon landed in LZ Blue after it had been prepared with high explosive and white phosphorus artillery fire to the accompaniment of suppressive gunship cannon and rocket fire. These projectiles and/or agents were released with the full intent of inflicting damage or destroying enemy troops or equipment. Applicants platoon made a heliborne assault into this grassed and wooded landing zone in support of an engineering repair of a bridge. When the applicant off-loaded the helicopter, he moved toward the perimeter and dropped into a low crawl because of team fire and movement. At this point applicant crawled through a patch of smoldering white phosphorus fragments. Pieces of white phosphorus adhered to the applicants forearms leaving pitting burns from 1-2 cm in width over 5-6 cm areas 2nd and 3rd degree in severity. Applicant had to forego other treatment, after treating himself from his own medical bag, until 20 August 1966 when the platoon was evacuated from their position. Applicant states that he was treated by a Captain, Medical Corps, with flushing, cleansing and bandaging of the forearms. However, only a treatment record reflecting a follow-up for burns of the right arm on 21 August 1966, exists as official documentation of the injuries.
4. Records available to the Board show that the applicant was born on
19 August 1946. He enlisted in the Army on 2 June 1964 for a term of 3 years and served until 14 April 1967, when he was released to a Army Reserve Control Group. During this period of active duty he served as a medical corpsman in Vietnam for 11 months and 26 days. He was advanced by regular promotions to Specialist Four (E-4) on 15 August 1966. On 4 September 1968, applicant re-enlisted in the Army for a period of 3 years and received an Honorable Discharge on 24 August 1971. He received the National Defense Service Medal, the Expert Marksmanship Badge (Rifle, M-16), the Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle,M-14), the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal Ribbon w/(60)device, the Vietnam Service Medal w/2 Bronze Stars, the Combat Medical Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Bronze Star, the Parachutist Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation Badge, and the Bronze Star Medal w/V device. Applicants education includes; USAMEDTC 91A10 10 wks 1964, Recondo Course Class 2-68 3 wks 1968, 82nd Abn Div NCO Sch 4 wks 1969, Basic Aidman Crs 91A10 USAIMA 10 wks 1969, Special Forces Aidman 300-F1 MFSS FSHTex 17 wks 1970, and Med Spec Proficiency Trng 91B2P 12 wks 1971. These items are included on 2 separate DD Form 214 and several DD Form 215s.
5. The records show that the applicant sustained 2nd and 3rd degree white phosphorous burns while on a mission against the enemy in Vietnam and in accordance with the guidance contained in Army Regulation 600-8-22, para 2-8 b(6)(b), dated 25 February 1995, Individuals wounded or killed as a result of friendly fire in the heat of battle will be awarded the Purple Heart as long as the friendly projectile or agent was released for the full intent of inflicting damage or destroying enemy troops or equipment.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Based on the applicant sustaining 2nd and 3rd degree white phosphorous burns while on a mission against the enemy in Vietnam and in accordance with the guidance contained in Army Regulation 600-8-22, para 2-8 b(6)(b), dated
25 February 1995, Individuals wounded or killed as a result of friendly fire, under todays standards, he should be entitled to award of the Purple Heart.
2. Although applicant did not request a new DD Form 214, due to the number of DD Form 215s, a new DD Form 214 should be issued to include all medals and schools.
3. In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicants records, but only as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individuals two DD Form 214s and all DD Form 215s be combined and a new DD Form 214 be issued to include addition of the Purple Heart.
BOARD VOTE:
GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
DENY APPLICATION
CHAIRPERSON
ARMY | BCMR | CY1997 | 199710908
Records available to the Board show that the applicant was born on 19 August 1946. The records show that the applicant sustained 2 RECOMMENDATION :That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual’s two DD Form 214s and all DD Form 215s be combined and a new DD Form 214 be issued to include addition of the Purple Heart.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120001835
The applicant states he is requesting award of the Purple Heart for injuries he received resulting from an engagement by hostile forces on 10 April 1971 at the enlisted men's club, Vietnam, during a grenade attack. There is no evidence of record and the applicant did not provide any evidence that shows he was awarded the Purple Heart. Notwithstanding the applicant's sincerity, in the absence of documentation that conclusively shows he was wounded or injured as a result of enemy action or...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090005429
White phosphorus results in painful chemical burn injuries. If Soldiers are hit by pieces of white phosphorus, it could burn right down to the bone. In this case, the applicants name is not shown on the Vietnam casualty roster; his DA Form 20 does not indicate any combat wounds; his record is void of any orders that show he was awarded the Purple Heart; and his available medical records do not indicate he was wounded and/or injured as a result of hostile action.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100028023
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). His service record does not contain any orders which show he was awarded the Purple Heart or medical documentation which shows he was wounded as a result of friendly fire in Vietnam. Therefore, in the absence of any corroborating evidence of record which shows he was wounded or injured as a result of hostile action or friendly fire, there is insufficient evidence upon which to base award the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080009019
The applicant requests, in effect, that his records be corrected to show he was issued the award of the Purple Heart for injuries he sustained on 10 April 1971 in the Republic of Vietnam. Without evidence to show the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action, the applicant does not meet the criteria for the award of the Purple Heart. As such, the applicant is not entitled to award of the Purple Heart for wounds he sustained in the Republic of Vietnam, on 10 April 1971.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120021601
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Purple Heart. However, he contends he was awarded the Purple Heart and provides a USARV Casualty Report that clearly shows he sustained an injury on 6 December 1970 that was caused by the enemy and that also shows he was treated at the 93rd Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100019277
Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides for the following awards: a. The evidence of record shows the applicant served a qualifying period of service for award of the National Defense Service Medal. Notwithstanding the applicant's sincerity, in the absence of official documentary evidence such as operation orders, morning reports, after action reports, official orders to corroborate the events that led to his alleged injury, or additional documentation that conclusively shows...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100026181
Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, two overseas service bars, and Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16). The evidence of record shows he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140017773
Personnel wounded as a result of non-hostile action who are not placed on hospital's very seriously injured lists are not reported as casualties in accordance with current regulations. Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that 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. There is no available evidence and he did not provide sufficient evidence...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100014964
The evidence of record shows the applicant received medical treatment on 11 February 1967 for a fragment wound to his right upper leg. f. Therefore, based on the available evidence, the applicant should be awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 27 January 1967. 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...