| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Deyon D. Battle | Analyst |
| Mr. Stanley Kelley | Chairperson | ||
| Mr. Christopher J. Prosser | Member | ||
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
2. The applicant requests that his Report of Transfer or Discharge (DD Form 214) be corrected to include the Combat Medical Badge, the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 60 and the Purple Heart.
3. The applicant states that his records verify that he is entitled to the Combat Medical Badge and the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 60. He states that his DD Form 214 should also be corrected to show the wounds that he received in the highlands when his was assigned to Company A, 1-508 Infantry, 3rd Brigade, 182nd Airborne Division. He states that he should have been awarded the Purple Heart due to shrapnel wounds that he received to his right hip and lower back. He states that the shrapnel was removed by a fellow corpsman while he was in the field.
4. The applicant’s military records show that on 29 February 1968, he enlisted in the Army at Fort Ord, California, for 3 years in the pay grade of E-1. He completed his basic combat training while he was assigned to A Company,
1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade at Fort Ord, California.
5. He went on to successfully complete his training as a medical specialist. On 17 July 1968, he was transferred to Vietnam and he was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 505th Infantry Division. On 22 August 1968, he was assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion (Airborne) 508th Infantry Division. He returned to the Continental United States on 9 April 1969 and he was honorably released from active duty on 21 January 1971, prior to the expiration of his term of service, to attend college. He had completed 2 years, 10 months and 23 days of total active service and his conduct and efficiency ratings were all excellent.
6. A review of the available records fails to show that the applicant ever sustained shrapnel wounds or any other type of wounds while he was in the Army, which would have entitled him to the award of the Purple Heart.
7. However, further review of the available records shows that he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Combat Medical Badge, the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 60 and the Marksmanship Qualification Badge w/Rifle M-16 and Rifle M-14 Bars.
8. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citations and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows that he is also entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal –First Class Unit Citation.
9. The DD Form 214 that he was furnished at the time of his discharge reflects only the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.
10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning award of the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM). It states, in pertinent part, that the AGCM was established by Executive Order 8809, 28 June 1941 and was amended by Executive Order 9323, 1943 and by Executive Order 10444, 10 April 1953 and is awarded for exemplary behavior, efficiency, and fidelity in active Federal military service. The regulation also states, in pertinent part, that for first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950, a period of service of less than 3 years but more than 1 year qualifies for award of the AGCM.
11. 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.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. An error was made during the preparation of the applicant’s DD Form 214, which resulted in the omission of several of his awards. The records clearly show that he was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 60, the Combat Medical Badge, the Marksmanship Qualification Badge w/Rifle M-16 and Rifle M-14 Bars and his DD Form 214 should be corrected to reflect his awards.
2. In accordance with Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal –First Class Unit Citation should also be included on his DD Form 214.
3. Additionally, the Board finds that given his record of service and the fact that he had no bad time, it is reasonable to presume that the absence of an award of the AGCM was the result of an administrative error and not that of a commander denying him the AGCM at separation. Therefore, the Board finds that he should be awarded the AGCM for his service during the period of 29 February 1968 through 21 January 1971.
4. However, there is no evidence of record nor has the applicant submitted any evidence to support his contention that he is entitled to the award of the Purple Heart as a result of shrapnel wounds that he received to his right hip and lower back. Therefore, he is not entitled to the Purple Heart and it is appropriately not reflected on his DD Form 214.
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 by amending the DD Form 214 of the individual concerned to show that he was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 60, the Combat Medical Badge, the Marksmanship Qualification Badge w/Rifle M-16 and Rifle M-14 Bars, and by awarding him the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal–First Class Unit Citation and the Army Good Conduct Medal for his service during the period of 29 February 1968 through 21 January 1971.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
__jm____ __sk ____ __cjp ___ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
____Stanley Kelley ______
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2003088246 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 2003/09/11 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. 46 | 107.0000 |
| 2. 61 | 107.0015 |
| 3. 102 | 107.0056 |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100019648
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). There is no evidence in the applicant's military personnel records that shows he was wounded or treated for wounds as a result of hostile action. 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 received in action in the Republic of Vietnam on 10 July 1968; b. deleting from...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130019581
The applicant requests correction of his record to show award of the Purple Heart. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * ARCOM * Air Medal * Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) * Combat Infantryman Badge * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Parachutist Badge 11. 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...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100000425
Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provides that the Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who have completed a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service. The document provided clearly identifies the applicant and shows he was treated for a shrapnel wound that he received from a booby trap on 12 July 1968. c. Despite the absence of any additional evidence in the applicant's military personnel records, it is concluded that the available...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070009562
Therefore, there is sufficient evidence to show that he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart and correction of his records to show this award. Record shows 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. showing award of the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in the Republic of Vietnam on 4 May 1968, the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 8 September 1967 to...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100018382
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending 4 September 1969 to show award of: * Purple Heart * Combat Infantryman Badge * Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device (1st Oak Leaf Cluster) * Republic of Vietnam (RVN) Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110011258
Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the DD form 214 issued at that time shows he was authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal * Air Medal * Vietnam Service Medal (VSM) * Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) * CIB with "V" 6. Therefore, it would be appropriate to award him the AGCM (1st Award) based on completion of a qualifying period of active Federal service and correct his DD Form 214 to...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060015621
The applicant's records show that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to correction of his records to show the award of the Purple Heart. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to award of the: a. AGCM first award for the period 24 July 1967 to 1 March 1970, Air Medal Fourth Award with "V" Device, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, Aircraft Crewman...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080018391
He was recommended by his company commander for award of the Purple Heart but never received the certificate, medal, or added to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). Army Regulation 600-8-22 states that the Korea Defense Service Medal is authorized for award to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who have served on active duty in support of the defense of the Republic of Korea. As a result, the Board recommends that all...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080013062
Therefore, there is sufficient evidence to show that he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart and correction of his records to show this award. The evidence of record shows the FSM 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. awarding the FSM the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 18 May 1968 in the Republic of Vietnam; b. awarding the FSM the Good Conduct Medal...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090003690
The applicant's records contain General Orders Number 10628, dated 13 November 1968, awarding the Purple Heart for wounds received in connection with military operations in Vietnam on 9 November 1968, to an individual with the same last and first name as the applicant. The evidence further shows the applicant served in an infantry MOS and in an infantry unit during his service in Vietnam. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned...