| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Mr. Luther L. Santiful | Chairperson | |
| Mr. William D. Powers | Member | |
| Ms. Barbara J. Ellis | Member |
2. The applicant requests award of the Purple Heart.
3. The applicant states that he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart. In support of his application, he submits a Department of the Veterans Affairs (DVA) Rating Decision, dated 7 May 2002.
4. The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 17 May 1966. He served as a field artillery operations assistant in Vietnam from 22 March 1967 through 18 March 1968 and was honorably released from active duty on
21 March 1968.
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. There is no evidence in the applicant’s service personnel records that he was awarded the Purple Heart or was wounded as a result of hostile action.
7. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not reflect entitlement to the Purple Heart and item 40 (Wounds) on his DA Form 20 is blank.
8. The applicant’s name does not appear on the Vietnam Casualty Roster.
9. In support of his claim for award of the Purple Heart, the applicant provided a DVA Rating Decision, dated 7 May 2002. This rating decision shows that service connection for shrapnel wound scars (left chin and left shoulder) was granted with an evaluation of 0 percent effective 7 May 2001. This rating decision also states that service medical records from 17 May 1966 through 21 March 1968 show that the applicant was treated for a shrapnel wound while in the service.
10. There are no medical records available in the applicant’s service personnel records and the applicant provided no service medical records with his application.
11. The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award. His records show he participated in three campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam.
12. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This document shows the unit, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 11 September 1967 to 31 July 1968 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 17, dated 1969. This award is not shown on his discharge document.
13. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) also shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 51, dated 1971. This award is not shown on his discharge document.
14. 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 8, dated 1974. This award is not shown on his discharge document.
15. 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.
16. 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. The Board considered the applicant’s contention that he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart.
2. There is no evidence of record which shows that the applicant was wounded or treated for wounds due to hostile action in Vietnam. The applicant did not provide copies of medical records which show he was wounded or treated for wounds as a result of hostile action.
3. The Board considered the DVA Rating Decision provided in support of the applicant’s claim for award of the Purple Heart. However, this decision alone is not sufficient as a basis for award of the Purple Heart, particularly in view of the official Army records which show the applicant was not wounded and did not receive the Purple Heart.
4. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Purple Heart in this case.
5. 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.
6. The applicant’s unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation and 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 these unit awards.
7. 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 award of the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation 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:
LLS____ WDP_____ BJE____ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
__Luther L. Santiful___
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2002077881 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20021217 |
| 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. |
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