| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. W. E. Schnupp | Analyst |
| Mr. Fred N. Eichorn | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Melvin H. Meyer . | Member | |
| Mr. .Donald P. Hupman | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: In two separate applications, that he be awarded the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
APPLICANT STATES: That while he was an infantry advisor with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam on a combat operation in February 1964, he stepped in a punji pit and drove a bamboo spike through his left big toe. He was told that since the US was not at war at that time, he could not get a Purple Heart for the wound. He states further, that after completion of his 1-year tour with the 101st Airborne Division, he left his flight records, listing well over 100 hours of flight over enemy territory, with the brigade base camp in Vietnam, but he never received the Air Medal.
In support of his requests, he submits photographs of his toes taken at the military hospital where the wounds were treated; a copy of his letter attempting to find the physician who treated his wounds; an extract of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) showing his assignment in Vietnam; a copy of a 101st Airborne Division special order, in support of his Air Medal request, that incorrectly shows he had already departed Vietnam when, in fact, he hadn’t and a statement from his former operations officer, supporting his request for the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He retired from the active Army as a sergeant major with over 20 years of service on 31 July 1967.
His DA Form 20 reflects that he completed two tours of duty in Vietnam, from August 1963 to August 1964, and July 1965 through May 1966. Item 40 (wounds) of the DA Form 20 does not show that he suffered any wounds during his service, nor, does item 41 (awards and decorations) show that he was awarded the Purple Heart or the Air Medal.
The applicant’s Military Personnel Records Jacket (MPRJ) contains no documentation pertaining to his injury in Vietnam or record of the aerial flights he says he participated in for purposes of qualifying for the Air Medal.
His medical records were not provided to the Board; however, the Vietnam Casualty Roster does not show that he was listed as a casualty during his service there.
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 by a medical officer, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.
The same regulation provides in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the US Army, will have distinguished himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may be made to recognize single acts of merit or heroism, or for meritorious service. Numerals starting with 2 will be used to denote second and subsequent awards of the Air Medal. (However, at the time of the applicant’s service in Vietnam, oak leaf clusters were used to denote second and subsequent awards of the Air Medal.)
United States Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1, Awards, provides in pertinent part, that individuals recommended for award of the Air Medal for sustained operations, as opposed to award for a single act of achievement or heroism, must complete a minimum of 25 Category I missions and have accrued a minimum of 25 hours of flight time (Category I missions are performed in an assault role in which a hostile force is engaged); 50 Category II missions and have accrued a minimum of 50 hours of flight time (Category II missions are characterized by support rendered a friendly force immediately before, during or immediately following a combat operation); 100 Category III missions and have accrued a minimum of 100 hours of flight time (Category III missions are characterized by support of friendly forces not connected with immediate combat operation but must be conducted at altitudes that make the aircraft vulnerable to small arms fire).
The individual’s accomplishments and service for the entire group of missions must reflect meritorious performance throughout, with no instance of nonprofessionalism, mediocrity or failure to display an offensive spirit.
USARV Form 131, Awards and Qualification Record (Air Medal), will be used to record data required for determining eligibility of the Air Medal.
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 applicant’s MPRJ contains no evidence substantiating that he was wounded as a result of enemy action in Vietnam.
2. While he has furnished pictures of an injury to his foot, such evidence is acceptable only when corroboration is possible from official sources showing that the injury occurred as a direct result of enemy actions. In the absence of official medical or other records showing the circumstances of the injury, there is insufficient evidence for the Board to award the Purple Heart.
3. USARV regulations required a significant amount of mission information before a determination of eligibility for the Air Medal was possible. The applicant says, however, that his flight records were left in Vietnam and he is able to provide only a statement from his former operations officer and a copy of his assignment orders and DA Form 20 to support his contention that he completed the necessary requirements for the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. Unfortunately, viewing the evidence he submits, as well as that contained in his MPRJ, it is not possible to determine his eligibility for the Air Medal.
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.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
___dph___ ___fne__ __mhm__ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2002070709 |
| 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 | (DENY) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. 107.00 | |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120008814
The applicant requests the following awards be added to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) with an effective date of 18 January 1970: * Bronze Star Medal * Purple Heart (2nd Award) * Army Commendation Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * Air Medal (2nd Award) * commendations awarded to his unit in the Republic of Vietnam * Vietnam Service Medal with bronze service stars * Combat Infantryman Badge * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060010567C071029
The applicant states, in effect, he received a PH for being wounded in action in January 1968, which is included in his record and on his separation document (DD Form 214), but did not receive a second PH for an incident that occurred on 19 September 1967, when he was flying a helicopter gunship in the An Loc valley in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN). By regulation, in order to support award of the PH there must be evidence that the wound for which the award is being made was received as a...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100027537
Item 24 of his DD Form 214 with a separation date of 14 July 1968 shows the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Aircraft Crewman Badge * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Bronze Star Medal * Air Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster) * two service stars * two overseas service bar 9. The applicant's record contains orders awarding him the Air Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster) which was awarded to him prior to his departure from the Republic of Vietnam. His...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110002617
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided guidelines for award of the Air Medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending item 24 of his DD Form 214 by: a. deleting the current VSM and ARCOM entries and b. adding the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars, Army...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 20040006470C070208
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 9 June 2005 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20040006470 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. The applicant requests, in effect, that his record be corrected to show his entitlement to a 2nd award of the Purple Heart (PH) and to a 5th award of the Air Medal (AM). As a result, the Board recommends that all...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110024572
His records do not contain official orders awarding him the Aircraft Crewmember Badge or any additional awards of the Air Medal. USARV Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided guidelines for award of the Air Medal. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to the award of the Aircraft Crewmember Badge and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080010876
The applicant provides, in support of his application, copies of his Officer Record Brief (ORB) (DA Form 4037); one page from a flight log; two DD Forms 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) with effective dates of 24 July 1969 and 31 May 1973; one page from a VA rating decision; and a Standard Form 180 (Request Pertaining to Military Records). The applicant's military service records do not contain a DA Form 759 (parts I and II) (Individual Flight Record...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060001890 C070205
Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained while in action against an enemy or as a result of hostile action. His DA Form 759 for the period ending March 1971 [when he left Vietnam] shows an additional 860 hours of combat flight time. 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...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100008724
U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided guidelines for award of the Air Medal. As such, there is insufficient evidence upon which to base two additional awards of the Air Medal. The available records show he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080002652
The applicant's Military Personnel Records Jacket (MPRJ) contains no orders or other documents that show the applicant was ever awarded, held, or served in an infantry MOS, or that he was awarded the CIB or AM by proper authority while serving in the RVN. The evidence of record also fails to show that the applicant served as a crewmember or non-crewmember on flight status during his tenure of assignment in the RVN, or that he completed the number of air missions necessary to qualify for...