PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:          25 November 1998    
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-11769

	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. James E. Vick		Chairperson	
	Mr. John N. Slone		Member	
	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		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.  In support of his request he submits a copy of his Purple Heart certificate.

3.  Records indicate he entered active duty on 15 July 1968 and was assigned to Vietnam in February 1969.  He sustained a fragment wound to his left leg and perforation of his ear drums as a result of hostile action on 29 April 1969.  He was awarded the Purple Heart on 30 April 1969.  His wounds are confirmed in item 40 (wounds) on his DA Form 20 (enlisted qualification record) and on his separation physical examination.

4.  On 24 February 1970 the applicant was released from active duty but his award of the Purple Heart was omitted from his separation document.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms he was wounded as a result of hostile action and awarded the Purple Heart but it was omitted from his separation document.

2.  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 by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 29 April 1969 while in Vietnam.

BOARD VOTE:  

___JEV__  _JNS___  _RVO___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON