PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:            25 March 1999     
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999023417

	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:

	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Lester Echols		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 award of the Purple Heart.  He states he sustained a wound to his right arm in February 1969.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 27 March 1968 and was assigned to Vietnam in January 1969.  His DA Form 20 (enlisted qualification record) notes he was wounded (laceration to his right arm) on 24 February 1969 although there is no indication he was ever awarded the Purple Heart.

4.  Prior to his departure from Vietnam he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service during the period February 1969 through January 1970.

5.  On 16 January 1970 the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the Army Reserve.  His separation document does not reflect entitlement to the Purple Heart or Army Commendation Medal.

6.  Subsequent to his separation, on his initial application for VA disability submitted in April 1970, the applicant noted the combat wound to his right arm.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for wounds 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 by a medical officer, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Based on the evidence as contained in his DA Form 20 it appears the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action on 24 February 1969 while in Vietnam and as such should be entitled to an award of the Purple Heart.

2.  The evidence also confirms the applicant was awarded an Army Commendation Medal, which was omitted from his separation document.

3.  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 awarding the individual concerned the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 24 February 1969 while in Vietnam; and

b.  by showing that he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

___MKP  ___EJA___  __LE____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999023417	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990325	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 107.00		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.