PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           10 November 1998                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-10349

	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. Lee Cates		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Ms. Irene E. 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 records be corrected to show entitlement to award of the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism and 2 awards of the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states that he feels not receiving the Bronze Star Medal was an oversight and that the paperwork for award of the Purple Hearts was lost or destroyed.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 18 January 1966.  He served in Vietnam from 24 July 1966 to 22 July 1967.

5.  On 29 August 1967, General Order Number 2777, Headquarters, 4th Infantry Division announced the award of the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism to the applicant for his actions on 20 and 21 March 1967.

6.  United States Army Vietnam message 241600ZMAR67 (casualty report) indicates the applicant was wounded in action on 20 March 1967 by receiving a small arms round to his left foot.  He was treated at a special forces compound.

7.  Medical records show that in mid-December 1966, he received a compression fracture of the spinal cord lumbar area (L-1) when a helicopter, in which he was a crew member, was shot down.  He was treated at the 8th Field Hospital and released on 22 December 1966.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record shows his entitlement to award of the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism; the Purple Heart for wounds received on 20 March 1966; and, the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Purple Heart for wounds received in mid-December 1966.

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 his entitlement to award of the Bronze Star Medal for Heroism; the Purple Heart for wounds received on 20 March 1966; and, the Oak Leaf Cluster to the Purple Heart for wounds received in mid-December 1966.

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF________  IEW________  MKP________  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON