PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           22 May 2003        
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003083817

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O'Connor		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Member	
	Ms. Gail J. Wire		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 award of the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was wounded as a result of enemy fire in 1970.  He contends that he sustained a shrapnel wound to his left arm, that he cleaned his wound out and stitched it, and that he was hospitalized for three months.  In support of his application, he submits an addendum to DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), Part B, dated 26 June 2001; and a copy of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge).   

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 22 May 1969 for a period of 2 years.  He served as a special purpose equipment repair parts specialist in Vietnam from 22 March 1970 through 24 February 1971 and was honorably released from active duty on 24 February 1971.  

5.  The applicant's DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.

6.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s service personnel records that he was awarded the Purple Heart or was wounded as a result of hostile action.

7.  The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not reflect entitlement to the Purple Heart and item 40 (Wounds) on his DA Form 20 is blank.  The applicant’s name does not appear on the Vietnam Casualty Roster.

8.  Evidence of record shows that on 24 February 1971 the applicant underwent a separation physical examination which makes no mention of any wounds sustained as a result of hostile action.

9.  The applicant's DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  His records show that he participated in three campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam.

10.  There is no evidence the applicant received the first award of the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence the applicant was disqualified by his chain of command from receiving the Good Conduct Medal.  His records do not contain any adverse information and he received conduct and efficiency ratings of “excellent” throughout his service.

11.  The Board notes that the applicant is eligible for two awards of the Overseas Service Bar for his service in Vietnam from 22 March 1970 through 24 February 1971.  These awards are not shown on his DD Form 214. 

12.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 8, dated 1974.  This award is not shown on his discharge document.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.

14.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.

15.  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.  

16.  Army Regulation 670-1, in effect at the time, governs the requirements for the Overseas Service Bar.  In pertinent part, it provides that a bar is authorized for wear for each period of active Federal service as a member of the U.S. Army outside of the continental limits of the United States for the specific time frames and areas of operation cited in Army Regulation 670-1 or appropriate Department of the Army message.  There are special provisions regarding authorization for the Overseas Service Bar for service in a hostile fire zone and for combining service to calculate award of the bars.  For Vietnam service, one overseas service bar is authorized for each period of 6 months active Federal service as a member of a U.S. Service in Vietnam from 1 July 1958 to 28 March 1973.  Both the month of arrival and the month of departure from Vietnam are counted as whole months for credit toward the overseas service bar.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board noted the applicant’s contention that he was wounded as a result of enemy fire in 1970.    

2.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s service personnel records which shows that he was wounded or injured as a result of hostile action in Vietnam.

3.  The preponderance of evidence in this case shows the applicant was not wounded or otherwise entitled to the Purple Heart.  Therefore, the Board determined that there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Purple Heart in this case.  

4.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in three campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam which are not correctly shown by award of three bronze service stars for wear on his Vietnam Service Medal.  Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, the applicant is entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars and correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.   

5.  The applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 22 May 1969 through 24 February 1971 based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.

6.  Based on the applicant's service in Vietnam, he is entitled to two awards of the Overseas Service Bar.  Therefore, his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show these awards. 

7.  The applicant’s unit received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation while he was assigned to it.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this unit citation.

8.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the Good Conduct Medal, two awards of the Overseas Service Bar and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. 

2.  That so much of the application as pertains to the Purple Heart be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  SK____  GJW_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_Raymond V. O'Connor_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003083817	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20030522	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0015	
2.	107.0000	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.