| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Kenneth H. Aucock | Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr. | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Walter T. Morrison | Member | |
| Ms. Karen Y. Fletcher | Member |
THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant requests that his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) show that he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device, and the Army Commendation Medal.
2. The applicant states that he was released from active duty prior to receiving those awards.
3. The applicant provides documents as indicated herein.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant is requesting correction of an error which occurred on 14 June 1968. The application submitted in this case is dated 16 May 2003.
2. Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse failure to file within the 3-year statute of limitation if the ABCMR determines that it would be in the interest of justice to do so. In this case, the ABCMR will conduct a review of the merits of the case to determine if it would be in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file.
3. The applicant enlisted in the Army for three years on 28 June 1965, trained as an infantryman, and qualified as a sharpshooter with the machinegun. In December 1965 he was assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), and in April 1966 was promoted to pay grade E-4. He completed his tour in Vietnam and was assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado. The applicant participated in three campaigns during his tour in Vietnam and the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for its actions while the applicant was assigned to that organization.
4. In August 1967 the applicant was promoted to sergeant. In January 1968 he returned to Vietnam and was assigned as a squad leader with Company C, 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry of the 4th Infantry Division. On 11 August 1968, Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division published orders awarding the applicant the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device for heroism on 28 April 1968. Those orders also indicate that he was wounded in action on that date. The applicant submits a copy of a Purple Heart certificate showing that he was wounded in action on 28 April 1968 and a copy of a Bronze Star Medal certificate attesting to his heroism on that same date. He also submits a copy of a certificate showing that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service for the period June 1967 to June 1968.
5. The applicant completed his tour in Vietnam in June 1968 and returned to the United States at Fort Lewis, Washington. He participated in two campaigns and the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for its actions while the applicant was assigned to that organization.
6. The applicant was released from active duty on 14 June 1968 at Fort Lewis, Washington. His DD Form 214 shows award of the CIB, but does not reflect the other above-mentioned awards, nor does the Vietnam Service Medal annotated on that form show the number of campaigns he participated in.
7. The Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service. This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal with "V" device. The dates on the certificate showing award of the Army Commendation Medal were apparently prepared based on an assumption by administrative personnel that he served a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam.
Notwithstanding the inaccurate dates on the certificate, e.g., June 1967 to June 1968, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service. The award of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal with "V" device, and the Army Commendation Medal should be reflected on his DD Form 214.
2. The applicant qualified as a sharpshooter with the machine gun. His DD Form 214 should show award of the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with machinegun bar.
3. The applicant participated in a total of five campaigns during his two tours of duty in Vietnam. He is entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star (a silver service star is equivalent to five bronze service stars).
4. He is entitled to award of the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.
5. The applicant served his country faithfully and honorably. He is entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.
BOARD VOTE:
__RVO __ __WTM _ __KYF __ GRANT RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2003091367 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20040129 |
| 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 | CY2009 | 20090005086
General orders awarded the applicant the Purple Heart for wounds received in action by a hostile force on 27 April 1968 which is not shown on his DD Form 214; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award. The evidence of 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. awarding the applicant the Good Conduct Medal (1st...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 2004103697C070208
The applicant’s military record shows that he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 7 November 1966. There are no orders in the applicant's service personnel records to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart. The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief and to excuse failure to timely file.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140012436
The applicant requests his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to reflect the following awards earned during his service in Vietnam: * Bronze Star Medal * Purple Heart * Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award) * Combat Infantryman Badge 2. d. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20 does not show the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, or Combat Infantryman Badge. Awarding the applicant the Purple Heart...
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 | CY2010 | 20100028929
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the: * Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device * Purple Heart * Combat Infantryman Badge * two awards of the Air Medal 2. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 5 March 1971 shows the: * National Defense Service Medal * Army Commendation Medal * three...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080017094
The applicants records also show he served in the Republic of Vietnam from 3 November 1967 to 2 November 1968. This document shows that during the applicant's tenure of assignment: a. the 23rd Supply and Transport Battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, from 1 January 1968 to 31 August 1969, based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 53, dated 1970; b. the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, was awarded the Valorous Unit Award from 15 November 1967 to 3 February 1968,...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002070806C070402
The applicant requests that his records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal with "V" device. His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not reflect entitlement to the Purple Heart, or a Bronze Star Medal with "V" device. As such, the Board concludes that it would be appropriate, and in the interest of justice to confirm award of the Bronze Star Medal but amend the period of the award to coincide with his...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120009067
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the "V" Devices on his Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medal. The evidence of record confirms the applicant enlisted under the SSN of "xxx-xx-3xxx" and this is the SSN he used throughout his military service. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: * amending General Orders...
ARMY | BCMR | CY1997 | 9709091C070209
The applicant requests that his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) be changed to show that he received the Bronze Star Medal (BSM), three awards of the Purple Heart Medal; and that his social security number (SSN), service number (SN), and home of record (HOR) on that form be corrected (NOTE: His SSN, SN, and HOR have been administratively corrected). This form does not show any unit awards, nor campaign and service medals for his duty in Vietnam. The applicant is entitled to...
ARMY | BCMR | CY1997 | 9709091
The applicant requests that his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) be changed to show that he received the Bronze Star Medal (BSM), three awards of the Purple Heart Medal; and that his social security number (SSN), service number (SN), and home of record (HOR) on that form be corrected (NOTE: His SSN, SN, and HOR have been administratively corrected). This form does not show any unit awards, nor campaign and service medals for his duty in Vietnam. The applicant is entitled to...