PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               19 November 1998 
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AC98-06071

	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	
	Mr. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas A. Pagan		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		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 correction of his records to show award of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal and to show his correct Social Security Account Number (SSAN).

3.  The applicant states he received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal, but they were not listed on his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge.  He also states that his records show two different Social Security Numbers.  In support of his application, he submits copies of award certificates for the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal, copies of W-2 Forms, and a copy of his Social Security Card.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty on 28 January 1966 and completed training as a military policeman and as a parachutist.  He served in Vietnam from July 1967 to July 1968.  The applicant was honorably discharged on 27 January 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Purple Heart or the Bronze Star Medal as authorized awards.  His DD Form 214 shows his SSAN 
as.

6.  The applicant provided an award certificate showing that he received the Purple Heart for wounds received on 26 January 1968.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in item 40 (Wounds) that he received a laceration to the left arm on 26 January 1968.

7.  The applicant provided an award certificate showing that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement during the period 1 January 1968 through 31 August 1968.

8.  The applicant submitted a Social Security Card which shows his SSAN as.  Orders in the applicant’s personnel records show his SSAN was incorrectly recorded in June 1968 and the incorrect SSAN was used thereafter.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained as a result of hostile action.  Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that the wound was the result of hostile action, the wound must have required treatment, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 26 January 1968; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Purple Heart.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement during the period 1 January 1968 to 31 August 1968; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

3.  The applicant’s correct SSAN is ; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this SSAN.

4.  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 the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal; and

	b.  by correcting his records to show his SSAN as.

BOARD VOTE:  

FNE____  TAP_____  BJE_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-06071	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19981119	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.