| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Ms. Shirley Powell | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Elzey J. Arledge | Member | |
| Mr. Stanley Kelley | Member |
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, the Bronze Star Medal and two awards of the Air Medal.
APPLICANT STATES: In effect, that he sustained a shrapnel wound to the right side of his head from a mortar attack in August 1968 at Cai Lai. He contends that he was treated for his combat wound and was awarded the Purple Heart. He also contends that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and two awards of the Air Medal for his service. However, these awards are not listed on his DD Form 214. In support of his application, he submits a letter to a Member of Congress, dated 26 March 2001, from the Military Awards Branch; a letter to a Member of Congress, dated 9 November 2001, from the National Personnel Records Center; and numerous medical records.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
The applicant enlisted on 19 September 1967 for a period of 3 years. He served as a field wireman in Vietnam from 4 March 1968 through 3 March 1969 and was honorably released on 18 September 1970.
The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal or any award of the Air Medal as authorized awards.
There is no evidence in the applicant’s service personnel records or medical records which shows that he was awarded the Purple Heart or was wounded as a result of hostile action in Vietnam.
Item 40 (Wounds) on the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) is blank. Item 41 (Award and Decorations) on his DA Form 20 does not show entitlement to the Purple Heart. The applicant’s name does not appear on the Vietnam Casualty Roster.
There is no evidence in the available records that the applicant was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal. There are no orders for the Bronze Star Medal in the applicant’s service personnel records.
There are no flight hours recorded in the applicant’s personnel records. There also is no evidence that he met the qualifications for or was recommended for any award of the Air Medal.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. The regulation also requires that recommendations must be made within 2 years of the event or period of service and the award must be made within 3 years.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service while participating in aerial flight. This award is primarily intended for personnel on flying status, but may also be awarded to those personnel whose combat duties require them to fly, for example personnel in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
DISCUSSION: Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:
1. The Board considered the applicant’s contention that he was wounded in August 1968 at Cai Lai and was treated for that combat wound. However, there is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, to support this contention.
2. There is no evidence of record which shows the applicant was wounded or treated for wounds as a result of hostile action in Vietnam. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Purple Heart in this case.
3. The Board considered the applicant’s contention that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. However, there is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Bronze Star Medal in this case.
4. The Board also considered the applicant’s contention that he was awarded two awards of the Air Medal. However, there is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was recommended for, awarded or otherwise qualified for award of the Air Medal. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence on which to base any award of the Air Medal in this case.
5. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.
6. In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.
DETERMINATION: The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
SP____ EJA______ SK______ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001065365 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020319 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (DENY) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0015 |
| 2. | 107.0014 |
| 3. | 107.0018 |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080001054
The applicant's records show that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. There is no evidence to show that the applicant was wounded by shrapnel in his right hand in the Republic of Vietnam, on 27 May 1968. Therefore, the Board requests that the CMSD-St. Louis administratively correct the records of the individual concerned to show the award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and one silver service star to be affixed to his Vietnam Service Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090014644
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the following awards: * Distinguished Flying Cross (First Oak Leaf Cluster) * Bronze Star Medal * Purple Heart 2. The applicant states the following: * He received the Bronze Star Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross with First Oak Leaf Cluster on 9 February 1968 * Neither award was shown on his DD Form 214 * He was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214)...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070012962
There are no general orders that show the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart; there is no evidence in his service personnel records that shows he was wounded or injured as a result of hostile action or treated for such wounds; and the applicant's name is not listed on the Vietnam Casualty Roster. The evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. Therefore, the Board requests that the CMSD-St. Louis administratively correct the records of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002073646C070403
There are no orders in the applicant’s service personnel records which show that he was awarded Bronze Star Medal, and there is no evidence that he was recommended for award of the Bronze Star Medal. The Board noted the statements from the applicant's former company commander which stated that he recommended the applicant for award of the Air Medal for participation in helicopter-borne assaults during the period August through 8 October 1967. However, evidence of record shows the applicant...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140001001
There are no orders or any other documentation in his records indicating he was awarded the Purple Heart or that he was recommended for or awarded the Air Medal. There is no evidence indicating he was wounded twice while in Vietnam and there are no flight records pertaining to the applicant available for review. 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 sustained on 10...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040005880C070208
Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this award. These awards are based on his participation in three campaigns during his Vietnam service. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding the Good Conduct Medal for qualifying service from 11 August 1966 to 6 August 1968; b. amending his DD Form 214 with an effective date of 6 August 1968 to delete the Air Medal and adding...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090003775
There are no orders for the Purple Heart in the available records. This document shows the applicant's unit at the time of his assignment was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 48, dated 1971. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the applicant's DD Form 214 to show the Distinguished Flying Cross with...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080017252
Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who have completed a qualified period of active duty enlisted service. The applicant requests that the Air Medal with 26 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star be added to his DD Form 214. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060009983
The applicant requests, in effect, that his military records be corrected to show the award of the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Air Medal with Numeral 5. The applicant did not provide any orders, and there are no orders in his military records which show that he was awarded the Purple Heart. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. showing the award of the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002069619C070402
The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) with an effective date of 30 November 1991 to show award of the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the Legion of Merit, the Kuwait Liberation Medal awarded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kuwait Liberation Medal awarded by the Government of Kuwait and a second award of the Bronze Star Medal (correctly known as the Bronze Star Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster). The...