PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            11 July 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000037821

	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. Raymond J. Wagner		Chairperson	
	Mr. John Saputo		Member	
	Mr. Roger Able		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 and the Air Medal.

3.  The applicant states that his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) fails to list these awards.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 and DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record).  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 30 September 1966.  He served as an infantry indirect fire crewman in Vietnam from 9 April 1967 through 15 December 1967 and was honorably discharged on
27 September 1968. 

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Purple Heart or the Air Medal as authorized awards. 

6.  Headquarters 85th Evacuation Hospital (SMBL) General Orders Number 
183, dated 28 November 1967, shows the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart (First Award) for wounds received in action on 23 November 1967 in Vietnam.

7.  There are no flight hours recorded in the applicant’s personnel records.  There also is no evidence that he met the qualifications for or was recommended for award of the Air Medal.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service while participating in aerial flight.  This award is primarily intended for personnel on flying status, but may also be awarded to those personnel whose combat duties require them to fly, for example personnel in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received on
23 November 1967 in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this award.

2.  There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was recommended for, awarded, or otherwise qualified for award of the Air Medal.  Therefore, he is not entitled to this award.

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  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.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

RJW____  JS______  RA_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond J. Wagner____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000037821	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000711	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19680927	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration term of service	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0015	
2.	107.0018	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.