PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            9 December 1998   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-12005

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. June Hajjar 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Member	
	Mr. Thomas B. Redfern, III		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Purple Heart and two Presidential Unit Citations.  He also requests his social security number be changed.

3.  The applicant states that, in effect, his awards are not shown on his DD Form 214 and his social security number is incorrect.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of a Social Security card with the number. 

4.  The applicant’s records show he entered active duty on 22 January 1969.  He served in Vietnam from 22 June 1969 through 17 June 1970.  He was separated from active duty with an honorable discharge on 16 December 1970.  His discharge does not show the Purple Heart or the Presidential Unit Citation as authorized awards.  The Board notes he was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation which is also not shown on the DD Form 214.

5.  Americal Division General Orders Number 5426, dated 3 June 1970, awarded the applicant the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Vietnam on 2 June 1970.

6.  There is no evidence the applicant was assigned to a unit in Vietnam when it was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. 

7.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows  as his Social Security Account Number (SSAN).  Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station Special Orders Number 15, dated 22 January 1969, shows” as the applicant’s SSAN when he entered active duty.  DA Form 428 (Application for Identification Card), dated 26 January 1969, is authenticated in the applicant’s own hand and shows his SSAN as”.

8.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 42, dated 1972.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Presidential Unit Citation (known as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966) is awarded to a unit for extraordinary heroism in action. 

10.  Army Regulation 635-5 establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part, it directs the SSAN will be entered in item number 3 of the DD Form 214.  The regulation also directs the SSAN will be verified for accuracy from item 3 of the soldier’s DA Form 2A (Identification Card) .

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Purple Heart; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.
2.  There is no evidence the applicant was a member of a unit in Vietnam when it was cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation; therefore, he is not entitled to this award.

3.  Evidence of record shows the applicant’s social security number was “581-70-7129” when he entered active duty and when he was discharged.  Therefore, the applicant’s social security number is correctly displayed on his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

5.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied. 

BOARD VOTE:  

JH______  FNE____  TBR_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-12005/AR1998012315	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19981209	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19701216	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.