| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Kenneth H. Aucock | Analyst |
| Mr. George D. Paxson | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Walter T. Morrison | Member | |
| Mr. Richard T. Dunbar | Member |
2. The applicant requests award of the Purple Heart.
3. The applicant states that he received the Purple Heart and his DD Form 214 should show that he was awarded the Purple Heart.
4. The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Army on 28 December 1966, completed training, and in August 1967 was assigned to a company of the 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry, a 4th Infantry Division unit in Vietnam, initially as a personnel specialist, but in October of that year, as an infantryman. On 1 February 1968 he was assigned to the 52nd Security Detachment in Vietnam as a rifleman. A casualty report shows that the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action on 10 February 1968, receiving a fragmentation wound to his left knee when hit by fragments from a hostile mortar round. He was treated for his wound at the 71st Evacuation Hospital. An order published by the 71st Evacuation Hospital on 11 February 1968 awarded the Purple Heart to the applicant for the wound that he received on the previous date. That order shows that it was his third award of the Purple Heart.
5. The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows an entry in item 40, Wounds, “Poss Fx L-leg,” with a date of 19 November 1967. There is no other document to show that the applicant was wounded on that date.
6. The applicant returned to the United States in August 1968. He participated in four campaigns during his tour in Vietnam, and the 3d Battalion, 12th Infantry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for its actions while he was assigned to that organization. An 11 August 1968 report of medical examination shows that he was medically qualified for separation. Neither that report nor his report of medical history mention any wounds. He was released from active duty and transferred to the Army Reserve Control Group on 12 August 1968. His DD Form 214 shows award of the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. It does not show award of the Purple Heart.
7. The applicant served in the Army Reserve subsequent to his discharge. His 27 April 1974 report of medical history contains the notation that he received a shrapnel wound in Vietnam. That report also indicates that he was receiving a 10 percent disability rating for an injury to his knee cap.
8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides 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, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.
9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service. This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.
10. The Vietnam Service Medal is awarded for service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. One bronze service star is authorized for wear on the Vietnam Service Medal for each campaign.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The evidence is clear that the applicant was wounded in action on 10 February 1968. He is entitled to award of the Purple Heart. However, despite the order published by the 71st Evacuation Hospital and the notation in his enlisted qualification record, there is no evidence that he was in fact treated for any other wound. There is no medical documentation to show that he received any wound other than that on 10 February 1968. He is not entitled to any additional awards of the Purple Heart.
2. The applicant served his country faithfully and honorably. He is entitled to award of the Good Conduct Medal for his service from 28 December 1966 through 12 August 1968.
3. The applicant participated in four campaigns during his tour in Vietnam. He is entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars (one for each campaign). The applicant is also entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.
4. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s 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, the Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.
BOARD VOTE:
__GDP__ __WTM__ __RTD__ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
___George D. Paxson___
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2001063080 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | YYYYMMDD |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (NC, GRANT , DENY, GRANT PLUS) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050005794C070206
Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant's DD Form 214 does not list the award of the Purple Heart. Therefore, based on the evidence provided, he is entitled to the award of the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 10 November 1967. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing the following: a. by awarding him the Purple Heart...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 040007045C070208
The applicant requests that his records be corrected to show award of the Purple Heart. On 1 November 1968 the 71st Evacuation Hospital published orders awarding the applicant the Purple Heart for the wounds that he received in action on 31 October 1968. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing award of the Purple Heart, the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, the Republic of Vietnam...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050005868C070206
There were no service medical records available to the Board, or provided by the applicant, beyond his separation physical examination. Further, it directed that all personnel treated and released within 24 hours would be awarded the Purple Heart by the organization to which the individual was assigned. Evidence shows that the applicant’s records contain administrative error which does not require action by the Board.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060013924
Fields Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Army Regulation 672-5-1, 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 Combat Infantryman Badge; b. awarding him the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040010466C070208
The applicant states that he was wounded and treated for an injury while serving in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN). Therefore, it would be appropriate to correct applicant’s records to show these awards. 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 on 18 June 1967 while serving in the RVN; b. showing that based on his RVN service and campaign participation, he is...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140014027
Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provided that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded to individuals who completed a qualified period of active duty enlisted service. He 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: * awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity during the period 7 August...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002072407C070403
I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. There is sufficient evidence to show that the applicant was wounded on 31 October 1969, while serving as an infantryman in Vietnam, that he was treated by medical personnel and that he was awarded the Purple Heart for his wounds. The evidence of record also shows that he was awarded the ARCOM with “V” device...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002070306C070402
I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. There are no orders in the records available to the Board which show the applicant received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 10 January 1968. The Board noted there are no orders in the applicant's records which shows he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002078064C070215
This Board then denied the applicant’s request informing him that he had not exhausted his available administrative remedies. 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. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070012273
Powers Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. There are no orders in the applicants service personnel records which show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. The applicant's record shows that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal.