IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 7 April 2009
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090000691
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 award of the Purple Heart.
2. The applicant states that he was recommended for award of the Purple Heart after sustaining a shell shrapnel injury to his skull when an ammunition dump exploded as a result of an enemy attack. He adds that to his knowledge, his commanding officer recommended him for the award. He also states that he was injured when he stepped on an enemy-made bamboo stake and another recommendation was implemented.
3. The applicant did not provide any additional documentary evidence in support of his request.
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's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 2 years on 17 June 1969. He completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 76V (Equipment Storage Specialist). He was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training) on 1 March 1971. The highest rank/grade he attained during this period of military service was private first class (PFC)/E-3.
3. The applicants records show he served in the Republic of Vietnam from on or about 25 March 1970 to on or about 1 March 1971. He was assigned to Headquarters, Troop Command, U.S. Army Depot-Qui Nhon.
4. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicants DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar. Item 24 does not show award of the Purple Heart.
5. Item 40 (Wounds) of the applicants DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows a blank entry. The applicant's name is not shown on the Vietnam casualty roster and there are no general orders in his records that show he was awarded the Purple Heart.
6. The applicant's medical records are not available for review with this case.
7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained while in action against an enemy or as a result of hostile action. Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that the wound was the result of hostile action, the wound must have required treatment by medical personnel, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
There is no evidence in the applicant's service personnel records that shows he was wounded or injured as a result of hostile action or treated for such wounds. In the absence of documentation that shows he was wounded or injured as a result of hostile action and treated for those wounds, there is insufficient evidence upon which to base award of the Purple Heart in this case.
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.
XXX
_________________________
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) AR20090000691
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090000691
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