PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:           15 AUGUST 2002                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002070679

	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	
	Mr. Kenneth H. Aucock		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright		Member	
	Mr. Jose A. Martinez		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 DD Form 214 be corrected to show that he received two awards of the Purple Heart. 

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded two Purple Heart medals, but they are not shown on his DD Form 214.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 27 May 1968, trained as an infantryman, and in October 1968 was assigned to Company A, 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry of the 11th Infantry Brigade in Vietnam.
On 6 February 1969 the applicant’s next of kin was informed that the applicant had been wounded as a result of hostile action on 5 February 1969, receiving a fragment wound to his left thigh and left hip while on a combat operation.  

5.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows that he was a patient in the 7th Field Hospital from February to April 1969, returning to his unit in April 1969.     

6.  General Orders Number 4854, Headquarters, Americal Division, show that the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart (first oak leaf cluster) for wounds received in action on 12 June 1969.

7.  The applicant completed his tour in Vietnam and returned to the United States in October 1969.  He participated in four campaigns during his tour in Vietnam and the 4th Battalion, 21st Infantry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm for its actions during the applicant’s assignment to that unit.  

8.  The applicant was released from active duty on 26 May 1970 in the grade of E-5.  He had two years of service.  He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Army Commendation Medal, among other awards.  His             DD Form 214 does not show two awards of the Purple Heart, award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, or reflect the number of campaigns in which the applicant participated.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was wounded on two separate occasions during his tour in Vietnam.  His DD Form 214 should show award of the Purple Heart (1st oak leaf cluster).

2.  The applicant is entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars (one for each campaign).  He is also entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.

3.  The applicant served his country faithfully and honorably as evidenced by his record.  He is entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal for his service from 27 May 1968 through 26 May 1970.

4.  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 by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart (1st oak leaf cluster), the Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__JNS __  __INW___  __JAM   _  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____John N. Slone______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002070679	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020815	
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.