BOARD DATE: 8 August 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160018982 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ____x____ ____x____ ____x____ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 8 August 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160018982 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. ____________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. BOARD DATE: 8 August 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160018982 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 award of the Purple Heart. 2. The applicant states, in effect, he was hit in the face and cut between his eyes at the landing zone in Vietnam. He doesn't know what hit him, but he was treated for his wounds. 3. The applicant provides no additional evidence. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 4 November 1969 for a period of 2 years. He served in Vietnam from 14 April 1970 to 7 June 1971. 3. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows: * no entry in item 40 (Wounds) * no Purple Heart in item 41 (Awards and Decorations) 4. His Standard Form 88 (Report of Medical Examination), dated 7 June 1971, shows he underwent a separation physical examination which makes no mention of any injuries or wounds sustained as a result of hostile action in Vietnam. Item 18 (Head, Face, Neck and Scalp) of this form shows he was rated normal. 5. On 7 June 1971, he was honorably released from active duty. 6. His DD Form 214 does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award. 7. There are no orders for the Purple Heart in the available records. 8. His name is not listed on the Vietnam casualty roster. 9. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command Military Awards Branch, failed to reveal any orders for the Purple Heart pertaining to the applicant. REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained in action against an enemy or as a result of hostile action. Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify the wound was the result of hostile action, the wound must have required treatment, not merely examination, by a medical officer, and the medical treatment must have been documented in the service member's medical and/or health record. The key issue commanders must take into consideration when contemplating an award of this decoration is the degree to which the enemy caused the injury. The fact that the proposed recipient was participating in direct or indirect combat operations is a necessary prerequisite, but is not sole justification for award. 2. Army Regulation 600-200 (Enlisted Personnel Management System), in effect at the time, stated a brief description of wounds or injuries (including injury from gas) requiring medical treatment received through hostile or enemy action, including those requiring hospitalization, would be entered in item 40 of the DA Form 20. The instructions further stated the date the wound or injury occurred would also be entered in item 40. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant contends he was hit in his face and cut between his eyes while serving in Vietnam. 2. The evidence of record shows he underwent a separation physical examination on 7 June 1971 that makes no mention of any injuries or wounds sustained as a result of hostile action in Vietnam. His face was rated normal. 3. His name does not appear on the Vietnam casualty roster and item 40 of his DA Form 20 is blank. 4. There is no evidence of record confirming his claim that he was wounded as a result of hostile action in Vietnam. 5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 establishes basic requirements for award of the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart requires evidence to verify the wound was the result of hostile action, treatment of the wound by a medical officer, and documentation of the wound in official records. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160018982 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160018982 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2