DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS

2 NAVY ANNEX

WASHINGTON DC 20370-5100

TRG
Docket No:
16 August 2002

4062-02

This is in reference to your application for correction of your
naval record pursuant to the provisions of Title 10 of the United
States Code, section 1552.

A three-member panel of the Board for Correction of Naval
Records, sitting in executive session, considered your
application on 13 August 2002.
injustice were reviewed in accordance with administrative
regulations and procedures applicable to the proceedings of this
Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of
Board.
your application, together with all material submitted in support
thereof, your naval record.and applicable statutes, regulations
In addition, the Board considered the letter to
and policies.
you, dated 28 March 2002, from the Military Awards Branch,
Headquarters Marine Corps,

Your allegations of error and

a copy of which is enclosed.

After careful and conscientious consideration of the entire
record, the Board found that the evidence submitted was
insufficient to establish the existence of probable material
error or injustice.
concurred with the comments contained in the Military Awards
Branch letter.

In this connection the Board substantially

Concerning the issue of the military occupation specialty
code, the Board noted that assignment of the codes is a matter
solely within the discretion of the Marine Corps.
Board also noted that  you only served in MOS 0331 for less than
90 days, which is not very significant.

However, the

 

(MOS)

Accordingly, your application has been denied.
votes of the members of the panel will be furnished

The

names and
upon request.

It is regretted that the circumstances of your case
favorable action cannot be taken.
You are entitled to have the
Board reconsider its decision upon submission of new and material
evidence or other matter not previously considered by the Board.
In this regard, it is important to keep in mind that a
presumption of  
Consequently, when applying for a correction of an official naval

reguLarity  attaches to all official records.

are such that

record, the burden is on the applicant to demonstrate the
existence of probable material error or injustice.

Sincerely,

W. DEAN PFEIFFER
Executive Director

Enclosure

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1650
MMMA-3
28Mar02

This responds to your inquiry,

concerning verification of awards

for your service in the U.S. Marine Corps.
receiving your records and responding to your request.

I regret the delay in

You are entitled to the following awards, which are listed in

order of precedence:

Presidential Unit Citation awarded to 1st Marine Division
for service in Vietnam during the period September 15,
1967,

to October 31, 1968

National Defense  

Service  Medal

Vietnam Service Medal with one si
five bronze stars)

lver star  

( in lieu of

Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation
(Gallantry Cross Color with palm and frame) ribbon bar

Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation
(Civil Actions Color with palm and frame) ribbon bar

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

Rifle Marksman Badge

The Personnel Management Support Branch  

(MMSB)  of this

Headquarters will forward a reply regarding correction of your DD-214
to you under separate correspondence.
relating to your DD-214 should be addressed to that branch.

Any further correspondence

After careful review of your service record book and

a determination has been made that you

consideration of your request,
are not entitled to the Combat Action Ribbon for your service in
Vietnam while a member of Security Platoon,
you failed to serve honorably during your tour in Vietnam.
Action Ribbon'is a  
and Marine Corps Awards Manual,
for this award is satisfactory participation in a bonafied ground
firefight.

res:rictive  personal award. As stated in the Navy
the principle eligibility criterion

your records reveal that

The Combat

Our review of your records,

and those of this Headquarters,

the

Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals, and Fleet Marine
Force Pacific failed to reveal any evidence that you were ever
recommended for a personal decoration.

As required by regulations,

in order for you to be considered for

tile  award of a personal decoration,
your commanding officer or another officer having personal knowledge
of your actions must have submitted a recommendation for the award.
Since there is no evidence in your case that a recommendation was ever
submitted,

no further action can be taken.

including the Bronze Star Medal,

However,

Subtitle C,

Section 526 of the National Defense

provides for the consideration of award

Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1996, which was enacted into law on
February 10, 1996,
recommendations,
you be able to locate your former commanding officer or another
officer who has personal, first hand,
officer may submit a personal award recommendation in your behalf to
the Commandant of the Marine Corps for consideration.

which were not submitted in a timely fashion.

knowledge of your actions, that

Should

During the period you served in the Marine Corps, the Purple

Heart was authorized for award to those who were wounded or injured as
a direct result of action by an enemy of the United States or an
opposing armed force of a foreign country in which the Armed Forces of
the United States was engaged.

Regrettably, a
the records at this
that the enemy ever
determined that you

review of your service and medical records, and
Headquarters fails to reveal any documentation
wounded you in action.
are not entitled to a Purple Heart award.

Therefore,

it has been

Since there is

no indication in the records that you were ever

which would qualify you for the Purple Heart

regulations require that you obtain eyewitness statements.

injured under conditions,
award,
eyewitness statements can be from
the medical personnel who treated you in the field or two other
personnel who were present at the time you were injured.
should contain the time, place, medical attention received, and
detailed verification of the circumstances that the injury was a
direct result of enemy action.
information,

further consideration will be given to your request.

If you can provide the above

Statements

The

.I realize that it will be difficult to obtain eyewitness

statements due to the length of time that has elapsed.
Headquarters is keenly aware of the fact that there are undoubtedly
many cases of Marines who
for the Purple Heart. In
the eyewitness  

sustained injuries,
those  cases,
are required.

statemeG&

which cannot be so verified,

which might qualify them

This

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This Headquarters does not maintain a listing of former Marines
and their addresses.
a listing of the
officers and enlisted Marines who were assigned to your former unit by
requesting copies of the unit rosters for the period in question from
the following address:

you  may obtain 

However,

. .

Headquarters United States Marine Corps
Manpower and Reserve Affairs
2008 Elliott Road (Code MMSB)
Quantico, VA 22134-5103

Should you be able to obtain the names of former Marines that

were eyewitness to your injury,
them from the below listed organizations:

you may request assistance in locating

Edi.tor

Mail Call 
Leatherneck Magazine
P.O. Box 1977
Quantico, VA 22134
Telephone: l-800-336-0291
E-Mail:

leatherneck@mca-marines.org

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.

I regret that a more favorable reply is not possible and I realize
In no way does it

that the decision is not what you expected.
diminish your contributions to this Country and Corps.
letter will be filed in your official military records.

A copy of this

copy to:
-

Sincerely,

Head,
Military Awards Branch
Personnel Management Division
by direction of the
Commandant of the Marine Corps

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