PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:         14 October 1998                     
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-10893

	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 he entered active duty as an enlisted soldier in October 1965 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in November 1966 following OCS.  He was assigned to Vietnam as a platoon leader in October 1967 and on 10 January 1968 sustained multiple fragment wounds and contusions as a result of enemy action.  Orders confirming award of the Purple Heart were issued on 11 January 1968 by the 12th Evacuation Hospital.

4.  On 31 October 1968 the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the Army Reserve.  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 on 10 January 1968 and awarded the Purple Heart.  The award, however, 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 10 January 1968 while in Vietnam.

BOARD VOTE:  

__JNS__  __EMW__  __RWG__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON