IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 January 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140009197 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests that the DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) of her deceased brother, a former service member (FSM) be corrected to show his award of the Purple Heart. 2. The applicant states she cannot have the Purple Heart added to the FSM’s headstone without it being on his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides copies of the FSM’s DD Form 214 and a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards). CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The FSM enlisted in the Regular Army on 30 December 1965 for a period of 3 years under the Airborne enlistment option. He completed his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, his advanced individual training as a cannoneer at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and his airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia and was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina for his first duty assignment. 2. He was transferred to Vietnam on 23 June 1967 for assignment to B Battery, 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery Regiment. 3. On 15 March 1968, he sustained fragment wounds to the head as a result of enemy action. General Orders Number 34 issued by Headquarters, 85th Evacuation Hospital on 19 March 1968 awarded him the Purple Heart. He had served in two campaigns and was evacuated to a hospital in Japan on 19 June 1968 and on 27 June 1968 he was transferred to Fort Carson, Colorado. 4. On 17 January 1969, he was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) in the rank of sergeant due to the expiration of his term of service. He had served 3 years of active service and his DD Form 214 issued at the time of his REFRAD shows that he was awarded the Vietnam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Parachutist Badge. 5. General Orders Number 1683 issued by Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division on 17 June 1968 awarded the FSM the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) for meritorious service during the period 23 June 1967 – 22 June 1968. 6. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This pamphlet shows the FSM’s unit was cited for awards of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation during the period he served with the unit. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), paragraph 2-13, contains the regulatory guidance on the Vietnam Service Medal. It states a bronze service star is authorized with this award for each Vietnam campaign a member is credited with participating in. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The FSM was awarded the Purple Heart and ARCOM in duly authenticated orders and he is entitled to have those awards added to his DD Form 214. 2. The applicant served in two campaigns and is entitled to wear two bronze service stars on his already awarded Vietnam Service Medal and to have them added to his DD Form 214. 3. Additionally, the applicant’s unit was cited for awards of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation during the period he served with the unit and he is entitled to have those awards added to his DD Form 214. BOARD VOTE: ____X___ ____X___ ____X___ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: * Deleting the award of the Vietnam Service Medal from item 24 of his DD Form 214 * Adding the awards of the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, Purple Heart, ARCOM, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation to item 24 of his DD Form 214 2. The Board wants the applicant and all others to know that the sacrifices made by her late brother in service to the United States during the Vietnam War are deeply appreciated. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms. _______ _ X______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140009197 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140009197 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1