| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mrs. Nancy Amos | Analyst |
| Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Hubert O. Fry, Jr. | Member | |
| Mr. Donald P. Hupman, Jr. | Member |
2. The applicant requests that his Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, be amended to add a second Purple Heart, the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC), a second and third Air Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).
3. The applicant states that he was wounded a second time on 23 April 1968. The other medals were left off his DD Form 214. He provides his DD Form 214; a newspaper article showing he was awarded two Purple Hearts, a BSM for heroism, and an Air Medal; and a 1st Cavalry Division Vietnam Combat Certificate as supporting evidence.
4. The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 17 May 1967. He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).
5. The applicant arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to Company D, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) on 19 October 1967. His Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20, item 40 shows he was wounded on 6 April 1968. General Orders 2153, Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division dated 11 April 1968 awarded him the Purple Heart for this wound. General Orders 3880, Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division dated 6 May 1968 awarded him the Air Medal for the period October 1967 to March 1968. On 20 August 1968, he was reassigned to the 15th Administration Company, 1st Cavalry Division. On 24 August 1968, he was reassigned to the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 15th TC (acronym unknown) Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. General Orders 11651, Headquarters 1st Air Cavalry Division dated 1 September 1968 awarded him the BSM for service. He departed Vietnam on 15 October 1968. He was released from active duty on 16 May 1969 after completing 2 years of creditable active service with no lost time. His DA Form 20 shows that his conduct and efficiency had been rated as excellent during his entire service.
6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides for award of the Air Medal to any person who will have distinguished himself while participating in aerial flight. It is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crewmember or noncrewmember flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties. However, it may also be awarded to personnel whose combat duties require them to fly in the attack elements of units involved in airland assaults against an armed enemy. Involvement in such activities serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
7. Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations. It stated that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service completed on or after 27 August 1940 and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year. At the time, a soldier’s conduct and efficiency ratings must have been rated as “excellent” for the entire period of qualifying service.
8. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 9 August 1965 – 19 May 1969. It had been awarded the PUC for the period 23 October – 26 November 1965; however, the applicant was not assigned to the unit at that time. It was never awarded the MUC. It was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for the period 6 – 8 May 1968. No other unit to which the applicant was assigned was awarded the PUC or the MUC.
9. The newspaper article the applicant provides indicates he received the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Medal, two awards of the Purple Heart, and BSM for heroism.
10. A search by the Awards Section, U. S. Total Army Personnel Command failed to reveal the applicant was awarded additional awards of the Air Medal, a second Purple Heart, or the BSM for heroism.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. There is no evidence of record to show the applicant was awarded a second Purple Heart, a second and third Air Medal, or the BSM for heroism. The Board notes the information contained in the newspaper article the applicant provided; however, without orders the article is insufficient evidence to verify that these decorations were awarded.
2. The applicant was not assigned to a unit during a period of time that unit was awarded the PUC. He may have been authorized to temporarily wear the PUC while he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry. He was not assigned to a unit that was awarded the MUC.
3. The applicant was assigned to a unit during a period of time that unit was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and so is authorized to wear that award on a permanent basis. He was assigned to a unit during a period of time that unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and so is authorized to wear that award, also.
4. The applicant met the eligibility criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.
5. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 17 May 1967 – 16 May 1969.
2. That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be amended to add the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.
3. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
__inw___ __hof___ __dph___ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
Irene N. Wheelwright
______________________
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2001061116 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020115 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (GRANT) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0014 |
| 2. | 107.0015 |
| 3. | 107.0012 |
| 4. | 107.0031 |
| 5. | 107.0034 |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001064335C070421
The applicant requests that his Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, be amended to show he was awarded the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, three Army Commendation Medals (ARCOMs) to include one for valor, five Bronze Star Medals (BSMs) to include one for valor, 40 Air Medals, the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC), and the Army Aviation Broken Wing Award. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows the 8 th Bn, 6 th Arty, 1 st ID was awarded the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130006660
Therefore, he should be awarded the AGCM (1st Award) for the period 27 July 1967 through 16 May 1969 and his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this award. However, there is no evidence in the available records to show that he was awarded the BSM and ARCOM and there is no evidence to show that his unit was awarded the MUC during the period he served with the unit. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: *...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090020485
The applicant requests that his deceased father be awarded two Silver Stars and two additional awards of the Bronze Star Medal; however, there are no orders or other evidence in his Official Military Personnel File authorizing these awards. Department of the Army (DA) Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows that during his service with the Heavy Mortar Company of the 180th Infantry Regiment in Korea, this unit was awarded the Distinguished Unit...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110012114
The applicant requests that he be awarded a second award of the Combat Medical Badge (CMB) and that all of his authorized awards be added to his DD Form 214 ( Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). He had served 4 years, 1 month, and 14 days of total active service and his DD Form 214 issued at the time of his REFRAD shows that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140015478
He had served 2 years and 28 days of active service and his DD Form 214 issued at the time of his REFRAD shows he was awarded the Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) was awarded by the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973. As a...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110002838
Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of the applicant's DA Form 20 shows he was assigned to Company C, 5th SF Group (Airborne), 1st SF, performing duties in MOS 11F as an intelligence specialist during his RVN tour of duty. Therefore, it would be appropriate to award him the first award of the AGCM for his qualifying period of honorable active duty service from 29 March 1966 through 25 November 1968 and to add this award to his record and DD Form 214. As a result, the Board recommends that all...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100019045
The applicant requests that his records be corrected to reflect: * two awards of the Purple Heart * two awards of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) * one award of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) * the addition of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Parachutist Badge * the addition of the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * a change of his rank to sergeant (SGT) as reflected on his Purple Heart Citation, dated 3 June 1968 2. The applicant provides copies...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070015092C080407
He also provides orders that awarded him the BSM with "V" Device for heroism in action in the RVN on this same date, while serving as a platoon Medic for this same unit. The evidence of record confirms the applicant was awarded the BSM with "V" Device for heroism in connection with the 15 June 1968 action in question, while he was serving as a platoon Medic with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment. The evidence of record also shows that the applicant received a second award...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120003237
The applicant requests to add the following awards to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge): * Purple Heart (2nd Award) * Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) (2nd Award) * Air Medal (AM) 2. General orders awarded the applicant two Purple Hearts; however, orders show they both were awarded for wounds received on 16 September 1968. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130020292
There is no evidence the applicant was awarded the first award of the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM). The entry in item 40 of the applicant's DA Form 20 that shows he was wounded in action on 15 May 1969 and the DA Form 8-275-3 that shows he was awarded the Purple Heart on 17 May 1969 are accepted as sufficient evidence on which to base adding award of the Purple Heart to his DD Form 214. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned...