APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That he be awarded the Purple Heart.

APPLICANT STATES:  That he was injured as a result of combat during a combat parachute jump.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant’s military records show:

He enlisted in the Regular Army on 7 November 1995.  He completed basic training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11B (Infantryman).  He attended basic airborne training.  While in training at Fort Benning, GA, the applicant injured his back during a parachute landing fall in March 1996.  He received a disability separation on 4 February 1997.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 states, in pertinent part, the Purple Heart is awarded to a member of an Armed Force who has been wounded in any action against an enemy of the United States; as a result of an act of any such enemy of opposing armed forces; or as the result of an act of any hostile foreign force.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  

2.  While the Board is empathetic, the applicant’s injury was not enemy-related and so does not entitle him to award of the Purple Heart.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant’s request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT          

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director