| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Jessie B. Strickland | Analyst |
| Mr. Luther L. Santiful | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Lester Echols | Member | |
| Mr. Frank C. Jones | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: That he be awarded the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: In effect, that in April 1970, while driving the company truck loaded with supplies, he was ambushed by the enemy with rocket propelled grenades (RPG) and lost control of the truck. As a result, he hit his face and mouth on the dashboard. He was experiencing so much pain the next day that he sought dental treatment and was given pain medication, took x-rays and then received an operation on his mouth. In support of his application he submits a copy of his dental treatment record and a letter from the attending dentist at the time.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He was inducted in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 18 February 1969. He successfully completed his training and was transferred to Vietnam on 17 August 1969, for duty as an armor crewman with K Troop, 3rd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He was advanced to the pay grade of E-4 on 5 November 1969.
He departed Vietnam on 16 August 1970 and was transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he remained until he was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) on 13 January 1971, for the purpose of attending school. He had served 1 year, 9 months and 26 days of total active service and his report of separation (DD Form 214) shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device.
In February 1986, the Army Reserve Personnel Center (ARPERCEN) authorized the issuance of the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), the Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL), 4 bronze service stars for wear on his VSM, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (RVNGC w/Palm) Unit Citation. However, there is no indication that they were ever added to his DD Form 214.
A review of the applicant's dental treatment record shows that he received dental treatment on 10 April and 24 April 1970.
The letter provided by the applicant with his application is a letter from the attending dentist in April 1970 in which he is responding to a letter written to him by the applicant soliciting assistance to obtain the award of the Purple Heart. The dentist indicates that while he did not remember all of the details, he did remember that the injury was the result of an ambush.
A review of the available records fails to show that he was ever reported as a casualty or that he was awarded the Purple Heart. Additionally, a staff member of the Board researched unit records at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland, and found no record of an ambush occurring during the timeframe described by the applicant.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 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 a result of hostile action, that the wound must have required treatment by a medical officer, and that the medical treatment was made a matter of official record.
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. While the attending dentist supports the applicant's contention that he is entitled to the award of the Purple Heart, the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to corroborate the dentist's recollections some 19 years after the fact.
2. Accordingly, the Board finds that the lack of sufficient evidence to support his contention that he was injured when he was ambushed on or about 9 April 1970, warrants that the Board disapprove his request to be awarded the Purple Heart.
3. 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: The Army Review Boards, Support Division will be requested to correct the applicant's DD Form 214 to show awards of the ARCOM, GCMDL, RVNGC w/Palm Unit Citation and four bronze service stars on his VSM.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
__fcj ___ ___ls ___ ___le____ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR20002078750 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 2003/05/29 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. 61 | 107.0015/PH |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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