IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 5 May 2009
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080019477
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, 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 and the Purple Heart.
2. The applicant states that these two awards were never placed on his DD Form 214.
3. The applicant provides orders for the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, orders for the Purple Heart, and a copy of his DD Form 214 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 applicants 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 applicants failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.
2. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 20 January 1966. He arrived in Vietnam on 1 May 1967. He served as an indirect fire crewman assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, in Vietnam from 6 May 1967 until he was wounded in action on 15 May 1967 and evacuated to the United States on 28 June 1967 for further medical treatment. On 20 January 1968, the applicant was released from active duty.
3. The applicants DD Form 214 shows the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Purple Heart as authorized awards. Since the applicant's DD Form 214 shows the Purple Heart as an authorized award, this portion of his request will not be discussed further in these proceedings.
4. Headquarters, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, General Orders Number 1365, dated 10 July 1967, show the applicant received the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force on 15 May 1967 in Vietnam.
5. Records show the applicant participated in two campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam.
6. Department of the Army General Orders Number 8, dated 1974, announced award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation to Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command, and its subordinate units during the period 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973 and to Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, and its subordinate units during the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973.
7. Amy Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star based on qualifying service for each campaign listed in appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. Orders show the applicant received the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device.
2. The applicant participated in two campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam which makes him eligible for award of the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars.
3. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation was awarded to all units that served in Vietnam. The applicant served in Vietnam during a qualifying period and is eligible for this award. Therefore, it would be appropriate to add this foreign unit award to his DD Form 214.
BOARD VOTE:
___X____ __X_____ ___X____ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and two bronze service stars for wear on his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal to his DD Form 214.
____________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) AR20080019477
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080019477
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