Vietnam Purple Heart Search

[Diamondrichlb]

Aloha,

I'm not sure this is the correct forum to post this into, but during a record search at home in regard to another issue I found a letter from a Captain to a Commanding General, United States Army Vietnam requesting I be awarded a Purple Heart for wounds suffered while flying a mission in the Vietnam Theater of Operations. I also have a copy of the treatment records from the emergency room. I remember the incident and going to the emergency room. I don't remember the application for the Purple Heart. The date of the letter requesting the Award was dated after my return from Vietnam. The Captain who took me to the emergency room has since died.

I requested a full records search from the National Personnel Records Center. When going thru the records they provided a couple months later, I do not see a request for the award of the PH, award of the PH, nor denial of the request for award of the PH. The letter from NPRC which came with the copy of my records states that since the PH is not shown as an awarded medal the request was turned down. It seems to me if the request was turned down there should be a record of the request and subsequent denial.

There is the issue that the mission I was flying was Top Secret. I don't know if it still is. That's way beyond my pay grade. Would that complicate the matter?

Can anyone suggest what my next step(s) should be?

Thanks for your help.

[GBArmy]

I'm not sure that would fly;  you know the PC police would object to releasing personal info (names) on others.As I suggest previously, I think the way you are going to get thru this is you have to connect on a personal level with someone back where they make those decisions. Explain to them what you are trying to accomplish and ask them in their expect opinion, what is the best way to accomplish it. One other thought. You know the specific date this happened. If you could check the company records and if someone else was wounded or received a decoration, there might be more info on that action in the General Order for the awards. Once a unit returns, they often are disolved or assimilated into another unit. You call the post were the "new" unit is and try to find out the details on where the records were archived. This is not a cookie cutter type of problem; your best bet is going to get someone to take a little more than normal customer service to accomplish.But, even if you hit some roadblocks, you keep at turning over rocks and you just might get to the top.

[GBArmy]

But unless he is an eye witness to your injuries, or at the very least saw them after, it isn't going to be enough.

[Diamondrichlb]

Yes, he saw my injuries.

[GBArmy]

I amend my last comment as I just read your last comment. If he indeed did see you immediately after and can confirm that you had injuries to your leg, that is indeed substantial evidence. Call the awards Army dept., ask to speak to the supervisor, and start the conversation. Tell him/her what you got and ask what if anything else is necessary for you to get a positive result. Ask if you should submit directly to his/her attention. That probably is against protocol, but it will confirm your intent to follow thru. Good luck.

[Diamondrichlb]

Great! I just sent an email to the contact I have at Awards Branch to see if my roommate's email address will work to send the document or if he must use USPS. 

On another note, my 759 forms do not show any of my flying in Vietnam/Thailand. The total number of hours is about right, but no individual dates until I returned stateside. My roommate says his 759 shows his flights and he was in my unit. My hours when I attended Rotary Wing qualification course and subsequent flights are shown, but as mentioned that was stateside.

[GBArmy]

Like I said, records, documentations, daily reports, TDY orders, etc. were hit or miss. If they pertain to you when on TDY status while you were in Vietnam. you don't usually get more than "thank you for your service."  Your and your roommates' records are living proof. What he has, your don't. Is your point that you don't have proof you were in country? I'm missing your point there.