PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           18 APRIL 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002066590

	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. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Mr. Ronald E. Blakely		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 that his records be corrected to reflect award of the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.  He notes that neither award is reflected on his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).  In support of his request he submits documents confirming the awards.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 
23 March 1967 after serving several years in the Army National Guard.  He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Vietnam Service Medal.

4.  During his initial tour of duty in Vietnam, which commenced in March 1968, he was wounded as a result of hostile action on 26 September 1968.  His wounds are confirmed in a statement issued by the commanding officer of a naval hospital in New York.  The 14 October 1968 statement indicates that the applicant was presented the Purple Heart and that a copy of the statement was being provided to the U.S. Army "for recording, preparation and issuance of the Purple Heart Certificate."  There is no indication in available records that the certificate, or orders by the U.S. Army, were ever issued confirming the award.

5.  In December 1968 the applicant was assigned to the Medical Holding Company at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and in March 1969 was reassigned to Fort Hood, Texas.  In April 1970 the applicant returned to Vietnam for his second tour of duty and was assigned to the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (USMACV).  On 28 October 1971 the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service between July 1970 and October 1971.  Orders issued by USMACV confirmed the orders.  The applicant returned to the United States on 1 November 1971 and on 2 November 1971 he was discharged.  His DD Form 214 does not reflect award of the Bronze Star Medal or the Purple Heart.

6.  By virtue of the applicant's two tours of duty in Vietnam he is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation, and one silver and two bronze services stars on his Vietnam Service Medal.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and that he was wounded as a result of hostile action and presented a Purple Heart while at a naval hospital in New York.  His records should be corrected accordingly.

2.  The evidence also confirms that the applicant is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation, and one silver and two bronze services stars on his Vietnam Service Medal.  Those awards should be added to his separation document.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

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

a.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart; and

b.  by showing that he is entitled to the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class, Unit Citation, and one silver and two bronze services stars on his Vietnam Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__FNE   _  __BJE  __  __REB__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Fred N. Eichorn_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002066590	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020418	
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.