PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:        14 October 1998                      
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-10377

	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. John N. Slone			Chairperson	
	Mr. Ernest M. Willcher			Member	
	Mr. Robert W. Garrett			Member	

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

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	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.

3.  Records indicate that he entered active duty on 12 December 1968 and was assigned to Vietnam in August 1969.  On 5 December 1969 he sustained fragment wounds to the left leg, right arm and face.  He was awarded the Purple Heart by the commander, 27th Surgical Hospital on 6 December 1969.

4.  The applicant remained in Vietnam until July 1970 when he returned to the United States and was released from active duty on 1 August 1970.  His separation document does not reflect entitlement to the Purple Heart.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record confirms the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action 5 December 1969 and awarded the Purple Heart which 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 received on 5 December 1969 while in Vietnam.

BOARD VOTE:  

_JNS__  __EMW__  __RWG___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON