PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            24 August 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000042189

	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. George D. Paxson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		Member	
	Mr. Allen L. Raub		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 DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was wounded as a result of hostile action on 11 May 1968 in Vietnam.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214, a copy of a Western Union Telegram message dated 19 May 1968, a copy of DA Form 8-274 (Medical Condition - Physical Profile Record) dated 19 June 1968 and VA documentation dated 9 September 1969 and 22 October 1996.    

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 3 October 1966.  He served as an infantry indirect fire crewman in Vietnam from
1 September 1967 through 31 August 1968 and was released from active duty on 31 August 1968.  

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

6.  His records contain a Western Union Telegram, dated 19 May 1968, which shows the applicant was wounded in Vietnam on 11 May 1968 as a result of hostile action.

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.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action in Vietnam on 11 May 1968.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.   

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:  

GDP____  CLG____  ALR ____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		George D. Paxson______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000042189	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000824	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19680831	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 Chapter 5	
DISCHARGE REASON	Overseas Returnee	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0015	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.