2.  The applicant requests award of the Purple Heart and an award for valor.  He includes a two statements from his former platoon sergeant.

3.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted into the Army on 1 May 1967.  He arrived in Vietnam on 23 September 1967 and served as a rifleman. 

4.  The applicant’s former platoon sergeant (SEE ATTACHED) states that there were two incidents wherein the applicant was subjected to exceptionally loud blasts, once when an enemy-fired rocket-propelled grenade hit a downed helicopter and once when an errant friendly artillery round landed inside their unit’s perimeter.

5.  On 28 June 1968, the applicant was given an assignment limitation due to bilateral sensory neural hearing loss, moderately severe.  On 4 August 1968, he was reclassified from a light weapons infantryman to a light vehicle mechanic.
On 18 September 1968, he departed Vietnam.  He had received the Combat Infantryman Badge.

6.  On 30 April 1969, the applicant was honorably separated, in pay grade E-4, after completing 2 years of creditable active service with no lost time.  All his conduct and efficiency ratings had been excellent.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent paragraph, establishes that each recommendation for an award of a military decoration must be entered administratively into military channels within 2 years of the act, achievement, or service to be honored.

8.  The Fiscal Year 1996 National Defense Authorization Act (FY96 NDAA) provided that the Service concerned will review a proposal for the award of, or upgrading of, a decoration that would not otherwise be authorized to be awarded based upon time limitations previously established by law.  Requests for consideration of awards should be supported by sworn affidavits, eyewitness statements, certificates and related documents.  Corroborating evidence is best provided by commanders, leaders and fellow comrades who had personal knowledge of the circumstances and events relative to the request.  A request for award not previously submitted in a timely fashion will only be considered under this provision if the request has been referred to the Service Secretary from a Member of Congress.  The burden and costs for researching and assembling documentation to support approval of requested awards and decorations rests with the requester.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant has provided credible evidence that his hearing loss was caused by enemy action.

2.  The applicant has met the criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The Combat Infantryman Badge is not listed on his DD Form 214.

4.  If the applicant feels he should have been awarded an award for valor for his actions on or about 17 November 1967, a reconstructed award recommendation must be prepared.  DA Form 638 (Recommendation for Award) must be completed with information pertaining to him and his unit of assignment during the period(s) for which he is being recognized.  A narrative of the action(s) for which he is being recognized is required.  Finally, it is important that the recommendation be accompanied by eyewitness statements attesting to the act(s) of valor performed, sworn affidavits, certificates and any other related documentation.  The request(s), which should be mailed to Commander, United States Army Personnel Command, ATTN:  TAPC-PDA, 200 Stovall Street, Suite 7S07, Alexandria, VA  22332-0471, will be considered only if it has been referred to the Secretary of the Army by a Member of Congress.

5.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s military records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That the DD Form 214 of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge and by changing the VSM to read VSM with 4 bronze service stars.

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

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

                                                                         
    CHAIRPERSON