PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:       10 November 1998       
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-10953

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright		Member	
	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military  records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, 
	            if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests that his military records be corrected to reflect award of the Purple Heart, Air Medals and an Army Commendation Medal with “V” device.  He notes the awards were omitted from his separation report following his service in Vietnam.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant initially entered active duty on 20 February 1967 and was assigned to Vietnam in August 1967.  As of August 1968 the applicant had been awarded six awards of the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.

4.  Information contained in the Vietnam era casualty file indicates the applicant was slightly wounded in action on 20 January 1969 but there is no indication he was ever awarded the Purple Heart.  He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device for his heroic actions on 18 February 1969.

5.  The applicant returned to the United States in August 1969 and on 
29 September 1969 was released from active duty.  His separation report does not reflect entitlement to any Air Medals, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device or an award of the Purple Heart.

6.  The applicant served a subsequent period of active duty between 1981 and 1985 however the preceding awards were also omitted from his 1985 report of separation.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was awarded six awards of the Air Medal and an Army Commendation Medal with “V” device as a result of his service in Vietnam.  The awards, although confirmed in orders, were omitted from his separation report.

2.  The evidence also confirms the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action on 20 January 1969 and as such is entitled to award of the Purple Heart.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:

a.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded six awards of the Air Medal and an Army Commendation Medal with “V” device; and
b.  by awarding him the Purple Heart for wounds sustained as a result of hostile action on 20 January 1969 while in Vietnam.

BOARD VOTE:  

_CMF___  _INW___  __MKP___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON