| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Deborah L. Brantley | Senior Analyst |
| Mr. Samuel A. Crumpler | Chairperson | |
| Ms. Shirley L. Powell | Member | |
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
2. The applicant requests that his records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and two awards of the Presidential Unit Citation. In support of his request he submits a copy of his Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal certificates.
3. Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 26 January 1968. Following completion of training he was assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado as an armor crewmember. In October 1968 he qualified as an expert with the 45-caliber pistol and was awarded the associated badge and component bar. That information, however, was omitted from his separation document.
4. In March 1969 the applicant was assigned to Vietnam with Company A, 1st Battalion, 69th Armor; part of the 4th Infantry Division. He was wounded as a result of hostile action on 18 November 1969 and awarded the Purple Heart. Orders issued by the 4th Infantry Division confirmed the award. However, the award was omitted from his separation document.
5. The applicant returned to the United States in February 1970. Prior to his departure, according to his award certificate, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service in Vietnam during the period February 1969 to February 1970. The certificate reflects the signature of Stanley R. Resor, who was Secretary of the Army between July 1965 and June 1971, and was authenticated on 1 February 1970 by Major General Glenn D. Walker, who assumed command of the 4th Infantry Division in November 1969. His separation document, however, does not reflect award of the Army Commendation Medal. Attempts to locate copies of orders confirming his award of the Army Commendation Medal were not successful.
6. The applicant was released from active duty on 20 February 1970.
7. A review of Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 notes that the applicant’s unit (1st Battalion, 69th Armor) was awarded two awards of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and one Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, while the applicant was a member of the organization. His unit was not, however, awarded any Presidential Unit Citations during his tenure with the organization. The pamphlet also notes that the applicant would have participated in three designated campaign periods (TET 69 Counteroffensive, Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969, and Vietnam Winter-Spring 1970) while in Vietnam which should be reflected by three bronze service stars on the Vietnam Service Medal, which is recorded on his separation document.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The evidence confirms that the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained as a result of hostile action while in Vietnam. His records should be corrected accordingly.
2. The evidence also confirms that the applicant is entitled to two awards of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, a Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, that he qualified as an expert with the 45-caliber pistol, and that he is entitled to three bronze service stars on his Vietnam Service Medal. His records should be corrected to reflect that information.
3. The Board notes that there are no orders in the applicant's available records awarding him the Army Commendation Medal, however, his award certificate is signed by the appropriate Secretary of the Army and the commander of the 4th Infantry Division, the division the applicant’s unit was assigned to. The period of service covered by the award coincides with the applicant's dates of service in Vietnam. The fact that the certificate was issued so close to the applicant’s departure from Vietnam could explain the absence of the award on his separation document. In the absence of orders, or evidence to the contrary, the Board accepts the applicant’s award certificate as authentication of entitlement to the Army Commendation Medal and in the interest of justice concludes it would be appropriate to add the award to his separation document.
4. There is, however, no evidence, and the applicant has not provided any, that he was a member of a unit that was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation. In the absence of such evidence, the Board concludes there is no basis to correct his record to reflect that decoration.
5. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:
a. by showing that he was awarded the Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medal;
b. by showing that he qualified as an expert with the 45-caliber pistol and was awarded the associated badge and component bar; and
c. by showing that he is entitled to two awards of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, a Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation and three bronze service stars on his Vietnam Service Medal.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
__SAC __ ___SLP _ __JTM __ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
__Samuel A. Crumpler__
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2002079626 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20030610 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060006133C070205
The applicant requests that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show two awards of the Purple Heart, in effect, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), the Bronze Star Medal (BSM), Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM), Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. The applicant's records show that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. As a...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120011289
This form further shows he was awarded the: * Army Good Conduct Medal (5th Award) * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device 1960 * Vietnam Service Medal * National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award) * Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award) 13. Therefore, his DD Form 214 for the period ending on 26 February 1969 should be corrected to show these unit awards. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130016867
Records show he participated in four campaign periods during his service in the Vietnam. His DD Form 214 should be corrected to show these awards. 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 Award) for the period 28 April 1967 to 1 January 1970; and b. adding the following awards to his DD Form 214: * Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) * Army Commendation Medal *...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 2004104355C070208
There is no entry in Item 40 (Wounds), of the applicant's DA Form 20, Enlisted Qualification Record, to show that he was wounded in action against a hostile force. The Vietnam Casualty Listing shows that the applicant was wounded in action on 12 June 1969. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding the applicant the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in the Republic of Vietnam on 12 June 1969 and adding...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110001850
The FSM's military service records do not contain a DD Form 214 for the period of service from 20 January 1953 through 27 November 1955. The applicant's military personnel record does not contain any orders or other evidence showing he was recommended for or awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award). The evidence of record shows that during the period of service: a.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130014028
His DD Form 47 (Record of Induction) shows his service number as xxxxx200. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show these unit awards. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: * adding to his DD Form 214 award of the: * Purple Heart * Presidential Unit Citation * Meritorious Unit Commendation * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation (2nd Award) * Republic of Vietnam...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140018235
Furthermore, item 38 (Record of Assignments) of his DA Form 20 shows he received "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his military service. 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 qualified 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...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002074119C070403
The Board has been unable to locate copies of orders confirming that the applicant was in fact awarded a Bronze Star Medal during his tour of duty in Vietnam, in spite of the fact that the award is recorded on his Department of the Army Form 20. Because of the lack of additional evidence, and the inconsistency in the order number recorded on his Form 20 and those actually issued by the 4 th Infantry Division in September 1968, the Board is reluctant to confirm an award based solely on a...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100015464
Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal with bronze service star * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * two Overseas Service Bars * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge [no weapon specified] 3. Evidence shows the applicant received two awards of the Army Commendation Medal, of which one was with the "V" Device. ...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100011934
The applicant's military personnel service record confirms his SSN was "x69-xx-xxxx" when he was inducted into military service based on his initial induction document. Records show 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: a. deleting from item 3 of his DD Form 214 the entry "x96-xx-xxxx" and replacing it with the entry "x69-xx-xxxx"; b. deleting from item 24...