PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:             10 August 2000   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000038178

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Mark D. Manning		Chairperson	
	Mr. John Saputo		Member	
	Ms. Karen A. Heinz		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, in effect, that his records be corrected to reflect award of a second Purple Heart and a second award of the Army Commendation Medal.  His records already reflect award of the Army Good Conduct Medal and as such that issue will not be addressed by the Board.  In support of his request he submits copies of his two Purple Heart certificates. 

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 
15 February 1967 and was assigned to Vietnam as an infantryman in September 1967.  While in Vietnam he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry. 

4.  On 18 October 1967 he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 17 October 1967.  On 19 December 1967 he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal with "V" device for his heroic actions on 2 November 1967.  The applicant's records contain orders issued by the 25th Infantry Division confirming both of those awards.  

5.  According to medical information, and an entry in item 40 (wounds) on his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), he sustained multiple shrapnel wounds to his "left upper extremity" on 3 February 1968 and was evacuated from Vietnam as a result of his injuries.  The applicant provided a copy of a Purple Heart certificate issued on 10 March 1968 but his records contain no orders confirming the award.

6.  The applicant was released from active duty on 14 February 1969.  His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) reflects entitlement to only one Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army Commendation medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

8.  A review of Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) notes the applicant’s unit (2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry) was credited with participating in one designated campaign during the applicant’s period of assignment.  The unit was also awarded a Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal Unit Citation during his tenure with the organization.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was wounded on two separate occasions while in Vietnam and as such is entitled to two awards of the Purple Heart; one for wounds sustained on 17 October 1967 and the other one for wounds sustained on 3 February 1968.

2.  There is, however, no evidence, and the applicant has not provided any that he was ever recommended for or awarded a second Army Commendation Medal.

3.  The Board notes that the applicant is also entitled to one bronze service star denoting participation in one campaign while in Vietnam.  He is also entitled to a Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal Unit Citation. 

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:

a.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded two Purple Hearts (17 October 1967 and 3 February 1968).

b.  by showing he is entitled to one bronze service star on his Vietnam Service Medal, a Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__mdm___  _js_____  ___kah__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000038178	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000810	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	Grant	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.