PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               27 January 2000               
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AR1999025983

	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.  

	Ms. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Member	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr.		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 be added to his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge).

3.  The applicant states that he received a Purple Heart in Camron Bay Hospital on 17 February 1970 for being wounded on 16 February 1970 in Vietnam from hostile enemy action.  He also states that he was handed a Purple Heart on the 17th of February.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 17 December 1968 and completed infantry training.  He served in Vietnam from 26 November 1969 to 22 February 1970 and was honorably discharged from active duty on 27 March 1970.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.  The Board notes that the applicant is entitled to the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation which is not shown on his discharge document.

6.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he sustained a penetrating shrapnel wound to his right foot on 16 February 1970 as a result of hostile action. 

7.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 8, dated 1972.

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

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

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 the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

INW____  SK______  EJA_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Irene N. Wheelwright__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999025983	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000127	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.