PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           17 May 2000       
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000035520

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Fred Eichorn		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		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 correction of his military records to show award of the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states that his Purple Heart was omitted from his records and he never got the medal.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) and an award certificate for the Purple Heart. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 24 October 1968.  He served as an armor recon specialist in Vietnam from 6 April 1969 through 31 March 1970 and was honorably discharged on 30 October 1970.   

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.  

6.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, dated 2 July 1969, which shows he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action in Vietnam on 27 June 1969. 

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.  There are no orders available to the Board which authorize award of the Purple Heart to the applicant.  However, the applicant has provided an award certificate which is authenticated by the Commanding General of the Americal Division and shows the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart on 2 July 1969 for wounds sustained in Vietnam on 27 June 1969.  Upon review, the Board has determined that this evidence is sufficient as a basis for award of the Purple Heart.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show award of the Purple Heart.

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.

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF____  FE_____  RJW_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Calvin M. Fowler____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000035520	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000517	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19701039	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 Chapter 2  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration term of service	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0015	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.