| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Deborah L. Brantley | Senior Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr. | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Roger W. Able | Member | |
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: Award of the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: He sustained multiple shrapnel wounds "all over [his] body" when his helicopter was hit by enemy fire between 25 September 1964 and 1 October 1964. He states that he was treated at a field hospital where he was presented the Purple Heart. He states that the Purple Heart was not entered on his records and he needs the award for VA benefits. In support of his request he submits documentation of an Air Medal (first oak leaf cluster), which was awarded to him for meritorious achievement during the period 25 September 1964 to 1 October 1964.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He entered active duty on 6 August 1956 and in August 1964 was assigned to Vietnam as a crew chief with the 68th Aviation Company. In January 1965 he was awarded his second Air Medal, which recognized his meritorious achievement "while participating in sustained aerial flight in support of combat ground forces" during the period 25 September 1964 to 1 October 1964. Orders published by the United States Army Support Command, Vietnam confirmed the award. The applicant's 1967 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), however, incorrectly lists only one award of the Air Medal.
There is no indication in the Air Medal award citation that the applicant was wounded during the period for which he was awarded the Air Medal.
In March 1965 the applicant was reassigned to the 197th Aviation Company in Vietnam and in May 1965 was transferred to the 82nd Aviation Battalion where he remained until August 1965 when he returned to the United States.
The applicant was honorably discharged from active duty on 19 October 1967. There is no indication in available records that he was ever awarded the Purple Heart. His name is not on the Vietnam Casualty List and his separation physical examination, completed in September 1967, makes no mention of any wounds, or scars, received as a result of hostile action. Item 40 (wounds) on the applicant's DA Form 20 (enlisted qualification record), which he last authenticated in October 1966, is blank.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, 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.
By virtue of the applicant's tour of duty in Vietnam he is entitled to two bronze service stars on the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal listed on his 1967 separation document, and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
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. There is no evidence, and the applicant has not provided any which confirms he was wounded as a result of hostile action while in Vietnam and as such there is no basis for award of the Purple Heart.
2. The applicant's award of the Air Medal during the period he contends he was wounded contains no evidence which would serve as a basis to award him the Purple Heart.
3. 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 that requirement.
4. 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.
NOTE: Officials at the ARBA Support Division in St. Louis are requested to administratively correct the applicant’s separation document to reflect award of a two Air Medals, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, and two bronze service stars on his Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
__RVO__ __RWA__ __JTM __ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2002067182 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020620 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002069159C070402
The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein. There is no evidence of record and the applicant provides none to show he was wounded in action and awarded the Purple Heart or that he was awarded more than one Air Medal. NOTE : The Army Review Boards Agency Support Division will be directed to amend the applicant's DD Form 214 to add the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Republic of...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050015979C070206
Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show this award. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show this award. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 2004106582C070208
His 24 June 1967 DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) lists his authorized awards as the Army Aviator Badge, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters. The applicant's records show that he was wounded while in action against an enemy and indicate that he was awarded the Purple Heart, although the orders are not contained in the available records. As a result, the Board recommends that all...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060006584C070205
DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Separation) shows his authorized awards as follows; the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters and “V” Device, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam), Vietnam Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Korea Army Aviator...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050004763C070206
Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards) provides that the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 through 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 through 14 August 1974, inclusive. This medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002080050C070215
There are no orders in the applicant’s service personnel records which show that he was awarded the Purple Heart. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time of the applicant's service, provided that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained as a result of hostile action. However, the DA Form 1051 was not signed by a medical officer and it does not indicate that the applicant was a battle casualty or that his injury was the result of hostile actions or...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080019676
The applicant requests correction of his military service records to show award of the Purple Heart. 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 correcting the applicant's DD Form 214 with a separation date of 23 June 1967 to show the following: a. the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 12 October 1965, b. the Republic of Vietnam Campaign...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110018327
The applicant requests award of the Purple Heart and Air Medal and correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show these and all other awards that he is entitled to for his service in the Army. U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided guidelines for award of the Air Medal. Records show the applicant participated in two campaign periods during his service in Vietnam.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120001453
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show: * Presidential Unit Citation * Four awards of the Purple Heart * Special Operations Commemorative Medal * Joint Service Commendation Medal * Korea Defense Service Medal * Air Assault Badge * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross 2. Additionally, it would also be appropriate to amend GO Number 162, issued by Headquarters, 12th Support Brigade, Fort Bragg, NC, on 12...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100023090
The applicant's service personnel record does not contain general orders awarding him the Purple Heart and his complete military medical record was not available for the Board's review. This document shows that the unit to which the applicant was assigned was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 2 to 12 June 1964 by Department of the Army General Order Number 48, dated 1968. d. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), then in effect,...