| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Mr. Melvin H. Meyer | Chairperson | |
| Ms. Kathleen A. Newman | Member | |
| Mr. Donald P. Hupman | Member |
2. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show two awards of the Purple Heart (correctly known as the Purple Heart with First Oak Leaf Cluster).
3. The applicant states that his DD Form 214 does not show the two Purple Hearts that he was awarded in Vietnam.
4. The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 15 March 1966 for a period of 3 years. He served as a light weapons infantryman in Vietnam from
26 September 1966 through 27 March 1968 and was honorably released on
14 March 1969.
5. The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.
6. 1st Aviation Brigade General Orders 1351, dated 12 March 1968, show the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 8 December 1967 in Vietnam.
7. There is no evidence in the applicant’s service personnel records which shows that he was wounded a second time as a result of hostile action in Vietnam.
8. There is no evidence the applicant received the first award of the Good Conduct Medal. There also is no evidence the applicant was disqualified by his chain of command from receiving the Good Conduct Medal. His records do not contain any adverse information and he received conduct and efficiency ratings of “excellent” throughout his service.
9. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 21, dated 1969.
10. The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award. His records show that he served in Vietnam from
26 September 1966 through 27 March 1968 and participated in three campaigns (Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase II, 1 July 1966 to 31 May 1967; Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase II, 1 June 1967 to 29 January 1968; and Tet Counteroffensive, 30 January 1967 to 1 April 1968).
11. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the bronze oak leaf cluster is awarded to denote the second and succeeding awards of certain decorations, among which is the Purple Heart.
12. 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.
13. Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 8 December 1967 in Vietnam.
2. The Board considered the applicant’s contention that he was awarded two awards of the Purple Heart in Vietnam. However, there is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was wounded on more than one occasion in Vietnam. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show only one award of the Purple Heart.
3. The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal based on completion of a period of qualifying service of three years from 15 March 1966 through 14 March 1969. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.
4. The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award. However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in three campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam which are not correctly shown by award of three bronze service stars for wear on his Vietnam Service Medal. Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, the applicant is entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.
5. The applicant’s unit was cited for the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation while he was assigned to it. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this unit citation.
6. In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. 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, the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
MHM___ KAN____ DPH_____ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
___Melvin H. Meyer_______
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2002070300 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020514 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (GRANT) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0015 |
| 2. | 107.0000 |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100022916
A review of the applicant's records indicates his entitlement to additional awards which are not listed on his records. The evidence of record shows he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. The evidence of record shows he was awarded various awards throughout his military service which are not shown on his retirement DD Form 214 for the period ending on 31 October 1973.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140021363
The applicant requests correction of his military service records to show award of the Purple Heart. 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 qualifying 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 Purple Heart for wounds received in action in the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120021149
A review of the applicant's military personnel record failed to reveal any evidence he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award). Based on the available evidence, it would be appropriate at this time to award the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for the period 4 October 1966 through 3 October 1968 and to correct his DD Form 214 to show this award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100030424
Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the VSM 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. Therefore, it would be appropriate award him the Purple Heart for wounds sustained as a result of hostile actions in Vietnam on 18 July 1967 and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060011934
The applicant requests his Purple Heart, awarded on 25 March 1968, and his Army Commendation Medal be added to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) with an effective date of 5 April 1968. The applicant's records show that he is entitled to additional awards, which he did not request and are not listed on his DD Form 214. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140001800
His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal with bronze service star * Vietnam Campaign Medal * Purple Heart (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) * Combat Infantryman badge 7. Therefore, it would be appropriate to award the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal and correct his DD Form 214 to show this medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: * awarding...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120017900
A review of the applicant's military personnel records failed to show he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award). Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provided that the Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who completed a qualifying 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 Army Good Conduct Medal (1st...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100014850
The certificate for the award of the Purple Heart indicates the applicant received wounds in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 22 November 1967. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Awards), in effect at the time, stated 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; for first award only, 1 year served entirely during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946; and, for the first award only, upon...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2015 | 20150000145
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 for wounds he received in August 1967, the Air Medal, and any other awards that were omitted from his DD Form 214. His service record does not include orders which show he was awarded the Purple Heart or Air Medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a....
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060012376
The DD Form 214 that was issued to him at the time of his release from active duty shows that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with V (for Valor) Device, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. The applicant participated in three campaigns during his tour in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show three bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded Vietnam Service...