PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           25 April 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002070418

	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	
	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Joann Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. George D. Paxson		Member	
	Mr. Charles Gainor		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 Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, be amended to add the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states that he was wounded in 1968 and was presented the Purple Heart while he was hospitalized.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on   9 March 1967.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).  He completed basic airborne training.

5.  The applicant arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to Company B, 3d Battalion (Airborne), 187th Infantry on 8 September 1967.  Item 38 of his Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20, shows he was medically evacuated to the Medical Hold Detachment, Camp Zama, Japan on 28 March 1968 after receiving credit for two campaigns.  Item 40 shows he received a gunshot wound to the left hand on 22 March 1968.  Item 41 shows that General Orders 62, Headquarters, 24th Evacuation Hospital dated 23 March 1968 awarded him the Purple Heart. 

6.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 9 December 1968 for the purpose of immediately reenlisting on 10 December 1968.  His DD Form 214 for this period shows he was awarded the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnamese Service Medal (i.e., the Vietnam Service Medal), the Vietnamese Campaign Medal (i.e., the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device), and the National Defense Service Medal.

7.  The applicant was discharged with a general under honorable conditions discharge on 18 March 1970.  His DD Form 214 for this period of service shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained as a result of hostile action.  Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that the wound was the result of hostile action, the wound must have required treatment by a medical officer, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.  The regulation also provides for award of one bronze service star to be worn on the appropriate service medal to denote each credited campaign.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows the 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for the period 16 – 22 March 1968 and the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period 14 March – 3 October 1968.  After the war, all units assigned to Vietnam were awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is sufficient evidence of record to show the applicant was entitled to and awarded the Purple Heart.

2.  The applicant was assigned to a unit during a period of time that unit was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.  He is authorized to wear two bronze service stars on the Vietnam Service Medal.  The Valorous Unit Award and the Meritorious Unit Commendation, along with the two bronze service stars and the Purple Heart, should be added to his DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 December 1968.  These awards plus the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and all the other awards listed on his first DD Form 214 should be should be listed his DD Form 214 for the period ending 18 March 1970.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 9 December 1968 be amended to add the Purple Heart, the Valorous Unit Award, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation and to show he is authorized to wear two bronze service stars on the Vietnam Service Medal.

2.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 18 March 1970 be amended to add the Purple Heart, the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 device, and to show he is authorized to wear two bronze service stars on the Vietnam Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__jl____  __gdp___  __cg____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Joann Langston
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002070418	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020425	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0015	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.