IN THE CASE OF:   
 
  BOARD DATE: 2 January 2024 
 
  DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230003463 
 
 
APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Purple Heart.  
 
APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 
 
• DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) 

• DD Form 214, 24 February 1969 to 23 February 1971 

• General Orders 331, 7 December 1969, Purple Heart 

• Purple Heart Certificate 


 
FACTS: 
 
1.  The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 
 
2.  The applicant states he likes to have his Purple Heart added to his DD Form 214. 
 
3.  The applicant’s service records are not available for review. An exhaustive search was conducted to locate the service records, but they could not be found. The only documents available were the documents provided by the applicant. These documents are sufficient for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 
 
4.  Review of the applicant’s available service records shows: 
 
 a.  He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 24 February 1969. He held military occupational specialty 11B, Light Weapons Infantryman.  
 
 b.  His DD Form 214 shows he served in Vietnam for 11 months and 29 days from 21 July 1969 to 19 July 1970. His Purple Heart order shows he was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division.  
 c.  General Orders Number 331, issued by Headquarters, 12th Evacuation Hospital on 7 December 1969, awarded him the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 6 December 1969.  
 
 d.  He was honorably released from active duty on 23 February 1971, in the grade of sergeant/E-5 after completing 2 years of active service. He was fully eligible to reenlist (Reenlistment Code 1). He was awarded or authorized:  
 
• National Defense Service Medal 

• Combat Infantryman Badge 

• Bronze Star Medal 

• 2 overseas service bars  

• Vietnam Service Medal 

• Army Commendation Medal 

• Air Medal 

• Sharpshooter Badge with M-14 Rifle Bar 

• Marksman Badge with M-16 Rifle Bar  

• Good Conduct Medal 


 
5.  AR 600-8-22 states a bronze service star is worn on the appropriate service ribbon, to include the Vietnam Service Medal, for each credited campaign. 
 
6.  DA Pamphlet 672-3 assists commanders and personnel officers in determining or establishing the eligibility of individual members for campaign participation credit, assault landing credit, and unit citation badges awarded during the Vietnam Conflict. 
 
BOARD DISCUSSION: 
 
After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The Board noted that the applicant’s service records are not available for review. The only documents available were the documents provided by the applicant. Based on these documents, the Board accepted the evidence he provides and noted that the applicant qualifies for additional awards based on his service in Vietnam. 
 
 a.  General Orders awarded him the Purple Heart. This award is not shown on his DD Form 214. It should be added.  
 
 b. The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he served in Vietnam from 21 July 1969 to 19 July 1970. Based on this period, he qualifies for 4 bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal for his campaign participation in 4 campaigns in Vietnam.  
 c.  The applicant’s order for the Purple Heart shows he was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. This unit was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation. Based on his assignment to that unit, he qualifies to be awards these unit awards and have his DD Form 214 corrected to show them.  
 
BOARD VOTE: 
 
Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 
 
:xx :xx :xx GRANT FULL RELIEF 
 
: : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 
 
: : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING 
 
: : : DENY APPLICATION 
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 
 
The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 adding to his DD Form 214 the following awards: 
 
• Purple Heart 

• 4 bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal 

• Valorous Unit Award 

• Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation 

• Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation 


 
  1/2/2024

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. 
 
 
REFERENCES: 
 
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 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. 
 
2.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states a bronze service star is worn on the appropriate service ribbon, to include the Vietnam Service Medal, for each credited campaign. A silver service star is U.S. Army Vietnam. Approved campaigns include: 
 
• Vietnam Summer - Fall 1969, 9 June - 31 October 1969 

• Vietnam Winter - Spring 1970, 1 November 1969 - 30 April 1970 

• Sanctuary Counteroffensive, 1 May - 30 June 1970 

• Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VII, 1 July 1970 - 30 June 1971 


 
3.  DA Pamphlet 672-3, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, shows Company C, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry (between 21 July 1969 and 19 July 1970) was cited for awards of the:  
 
• Valorous Unit Award, 1 May 1970 to 29 June 1970, by DA General Orders Number 43, dated 1972 

• RVN Gallantry Cross w/Palm Unit Citation, May 1969 to February 1970, by DA General Orders Number 11, 1973 (amended DA General Orders Number 42, dated 1972) and from 21 February 1970 to 28 February 1971 

• RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation, 1 January 1969 to 1 February 1970, by DA General Orders Number 42, dated 1972  


 
//NOTHING FOLLOWS//