IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  	  15 October 16, 2008

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080011425 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests, in effect, award of the Purple Heart (PH). 

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that he is a recipient of the PH and it is not shown on his DD Form 214.  He would like to be issued another DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) with the PH listed on it.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of a Purple Heart Certificate in support of his application.  

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  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 also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2.  The applicant’s military records are not available to the Board for review.  A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973.  It is believed that the applicant’s records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.  

3.  The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 13 March 1968.  The applicant completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).  The highest grade he attained was specialist four (SP4), pay grade E-4. 

4.  The applicant's Enlisted Qualification Record (DA Form 20) shows that he served in the Republic of Vietnam from 17 March 1969 through 12 August 1969.  Item 39 (Campaigns) of this document is absent any entries.  Item 40 (Wounds) is blank (no entry).  Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the DA Form 20 shows that the applicant was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960). The Purple Heart is not included in the list of awards. 

5.  There are no orders or other documents in the applicant's reconstructed NPRC file that show he was ever recommended for or awarded the Purple Heart by proper authority, or that he was ever treated for a combat-related wound by military medical personnel while he was serving on active duty.  

6.  On 28 March 1970, the applicant was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Annual Training) after completing 2 years of active military service.  Item 24 of the DD Form 214 the applicant was issued at the time shows he earned the following awards:  the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal Device (1960).  The applicant authenticated the separation document with his signature, in Item 32 (Signature of Person Being Transferred or Discharged), on the date of his separation.  

7.  During the processing of this case, a member of the Board staff reviewed the Department of the Army (DA) Vietnam Casualty Roster.  There is no evidence in his records or on The Adjutant General, Casualty Division's Vietnam Casualty Roster that shows he was wounded or treated for wounds as a result of hostile action.



8.  The Board staff also reviewed the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System (ADCARS) maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the United States Army Human Resources Command (HRC), which is an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973.  This review failed to reveal any Purple Heart order on file for the applicant.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) contains the Army's awards policy.  Paragraph 2-8 contains the regulatory guidance pertaining to award of the Purple Heart.  It states, in pertinent part, that in order to support an award of the Purple Heart, there must be evidence that a member was wounded or injured as a result of enemy action; that the wound or injury for which the award is being made required treatment by medical personnel; and this treatment must be supported by medical treatment records that were made a matter of official record.  

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s request for the Purple Heart was carefully considered and found to be insufficient in evidence.  By regulation, in order to support award of the Purple Heart there must be evidence that the wound for which the award is being made was received as a result of enemy action.

2.  Item 40 of the applicant's DA Form 20 is blank, which indicates he was never wounded in action.  The Purple Heart is also not included in the list of awards contained in Item 41.  Further, the Purple Heart is not included in the list of awards contained on the applicant's DD Form 214, which he authenticated with his signature on the date of his release from active duty.  In effect, his signature was his verification that the information contained on the DD Form 214, to include the list of awards, was correct on the date the separation document was prepared and issued.  

3.  In addition, the applicant's available record is void of any orders or other documents that indicate he was ever recommended for or awarded the Purple Heart by proper authority while serving on active duty.  

4.  Furthermore, the applicant's name is not included on the Vietnam Casualty Roster or on ADCARS.  Therefore, absent any evidence of record confirming the applicant was wounded as a result of enemy action, the regulatory burden of proof necessary to support award of the Purple Heart has not been satisfied in this case.  


5.  The sincerity of the applicant’s claim of entitlement to the Purple Heart is not in question.  However, the available evidence does not confirm that the applicant was wounded or injured as a result of hostile action.  Therefore, based on the available evidence, there is insufficient evidence upon which to base award of the Purple Heart in this case.

6.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement related to award of the Purple Heart.

7.  The applicant and all others concerned should know that this decision in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to our Nation.  The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.  

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

____X____  __X______  ____X____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.



      __________X____________
               CHAIRPERSON
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080011425



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080011425



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