PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           1 August 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002071749

	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. Nancy L. Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Samuel A. Crumpler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		Member	
	Ms. Regan K. Smith		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 action in May 1968.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that, after having had prior enlisted service, he was commissioned and entered active duty on 25 April 1967 in specialty 1542 (Infantry Unit Commander).

5.  The applicant arrived in Vietnam on or about 21 April 1968 and was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division on 1 May 1968 as a rifle platoon leader.  A Western Union telegram to his spouse states that he was slightly wounded in action on 5 May 1968, treated and hospitalized in Vietnam.  His Officer Qualification Record, DA Form 66, shows that he was assigned to the U. S. Army Vietnam Patient Casual Company on 28 May 1968.  Orders show he was transferred to U. S. Army Tripler General Hospital on or about 3 June 1968.  His DA Form 66 further shows he was assigned to the Medical Hold Company, U. S. Walson Army Hospital, Fort Dix, NJ on 24 June 1968.

6.  The applicant was released from active duty on 9 May 1969.  His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides 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.  It also provides for the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge to a soldier who is an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, who is assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must actively participate in such ground combat.  The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 1960 is normally awarded to soldiers who served in the Republic of Vietnam for 6 months but is also awarded for soldiers who served for less than 6 months and have been wounded by hostile forces.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 9 August 1965 – 19 May 1969 and the Navy Unit Commendation for the period 6 – 8 May 1968.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is sufficient evidence to show the applicant was wounded in action on  5 May 1968.
2.  The applicant met the eligibility criteria for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.  He met the eligibility criteria for award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 1960.  He was assigned to a unit during a period of time that unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Navy Unit Commendation and so is eligible for these unit awards, also.

3.  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 by showing the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 5 May 1968 and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be amended to add the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 1960, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Navy Unit Commendation.

BOARD VOTE:  

__SAC__  __MHM__  __RKS__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___Samuel A. Crumpler___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002071749	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	2002/08/01	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0015	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.