A Vietnam War veteran in Utah has said he's surprised over the reason for the denial of his request for a personalized license plate commemorating the year he was wounded and awarded a Purple Heart. Arnold Breitenbach of St. George wanted to get 'CIB-69' put on a license plate, the Spectrum newspaper of St. George reported. That would have commemorated both Breitenbach getting the Purple Heart in 1969 and his Combat Infantryman's Badge, according to the newspaper. Service: Vietnam veteran Arnold Breitenbach of St. George wanted to get 'CIB-69' put on a license plate. The Utah DMV denied his request, citing state regulations prohibiting the use of the number 69 because of its sexual connotations . Breitenbach had been an armored personnel carrier's gunner during his time in the Army. He was inside the carrier's gun turret as rocket-propelled grenades stuck and was left wounded, suffering temporary blindness . The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles denied his request, citing state regulations prohibiting the use of the number 69 because of its sexual connotations, The Spectrum reported. 'While your intended meaning behind the requested plate, CIB-69, is honorable, the Division of Motor Vehicles is required to follow Utah law when approving personalized plates,' Division of Motor Vehicles audit manager Sherri Murray said in a letter to Breitenbach that was obtained by the newspaper. Murray's letter also reportedly said 'Administrative Rule R873-22M-34 is clear regarding the use of "69" on personalized plates – "69" formats are prohibited unless used in a combination with the vehicle make, model, style, type, or commonly used or readily understood abbreviations of those terms. Breitenbach had been an armored personnel carrier's gunner during his time in the Army, the Spectrum reported. He was inside the carrier's gun turret as rocket-propelled grenades struck and was left wounded, suffering temporary blindness, according to the newspaper. Process: Though Breitenbach appealed to get 'CIB-69' put on his license plate, the appeal was rejected . Honored: Breitenbach has both the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's Badge . Breteinbach told the Spectum his hearing damage led to his Purple Heart. He also said: 'They've got Viagra (ads) all over the place. I can't imagine myself sitting on the sofa with my parents when I was a little kid having something like that on TV. 'In today's day and age, it seems like everything is out in the open.' The Spectrum reported that Breitenbach was directed to an established appeals process after he contacted Utah's Gov. Gary Herbert seeking assistance, before having his appeal denied in January. Breitenbach told the newspaper he chose not to appeal again and that it wasn't worth the amount of time and money. He ended up getting a Purple Heart logo on a license plate minus 'CIB-69,' according to the Spectrum. A message seeking comment from the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles wasn't immediately returned.
Arnold Breitenbach of St. George, Utah, wanted to get 'CIB-69' put on a license plate .
That would have commemorated both Breitenbach getting the Purple Heart in 1969 and his Combat Infantryman's Badge .
The Utah DMV denied his request, citing state regulations prohibiting the use of the number 69 because of its sexual connotations .