PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            07 AUGUST 2003                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003086119

	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. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas B. Redfern III		Member	
	Ms. Mae M. Bullock		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 that he received a gunshot wound in Vietnam.  He provides a copy of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge), and copies of Western Union telegrams showing that he was wounded in action.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 29 June 1968, completed training, and in July 1968 was assigned to Vietnam with Troop E, 1st Cavalry, 11th Infantry Brigade. 

5.  The Western Union telegrams that the applicant submits with his request show that he was seriously injured on 18 December 1968 by a gunshot wound to the head when hit by hostile small arms fire.  A clinical record cover sheet of        18 December 1968 indicates that the applicant sustained multiple fragment wounds – to his right thigh, left elbow, and his head.  He was eventually evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center.  On 13 February 1969 a Physical Evaluation Board determined that the applicant was physically unfit for further service with a 100 percent disability rating.  He was permanently retired because of physical disability on 18 March 1969.  He had 1 year, 1 month, and 20 days of service, of which 6 months and 13 days were in Vietnam.   

6.  The applicant participated in two campaigns during his tour in Vietnam and the unit to which he was assigned was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm for its actions during his assignment to that organization.

7.  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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant is entitled to award of the Purple Heart.  He served his country faithfully and honorably.  He is entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal.

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

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 by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.

BOARD VOTE:  

__AAO __  __TBR __  __MMB _  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___Arthur A. Omartian___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003086119	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20030807	
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.