PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            27 May 1999                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999025411

	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. Kenneth Aucock		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Edward Williamson		Chairperson	
	Ms. Meta Waller		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		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.

3.  The applicant states that he was wounded in Vietnam.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 24 August 1965, completed training as an infantryman, and airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia, and in February 1966 was assigned to a company of the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry in Vietnam, during the period in which that unit was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  He participated in two campaigns in Vietnam.  He completed his tour, and was assigned to an armored division at Fort Hood, Texas.  He was released from active duty at Fort Hood on 30 August 1967.  His DD Form 214 shows award of the Vietnam Service Medal with one bronze service star, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, among other awards.  It does not show award of the Purple Heart.

5. The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows that he received a shrapnel wound to his back on 11 April 1966.  

6.  A 25 April 1967 clinical record indicates that the applicant suffered a shrapnel wound of the right side of his chest on 12 April 1966 in Vietnam – supposedly punctured right lung.  The radiographic report shows that there was a 2x10mm piece of shrapnel in the mid chest just to the right of the right heart border.

7.  On 6 February 1987 the VA notified the applicant that he was awarded a      20 percent service connected disability for residuals of a lung injury.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence indicates that the applicant was wounded in action in Vietnam.  He is entitled to award of the Purple Heart. 

2.  The applicant is also entitled to the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  He participated in two campaigns in Vietnam and is entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars.

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 by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 11 April 1966; that he was awarded the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars.  

BOARD VOTE:  

___ew__  __mw___  __klw___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999025411	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990527	
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.