PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           14 September 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000042516

	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	
	Mr. W. W. Osborn, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		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.  Applicant requests reconsideration of his previous application to correct his military records by awarding him the Purple Heart and by placing “Army Special Training Program” (ASTP) in Block 41 (Service Schools Attended) of his Enlisted Record and Report of Separation (WD AGO Form 53-55).

3.  The applicant states that the unit report confirms that he was hospitalized at the time stated by his wartime comrades and that he believes that the ASTP should be listed because he did complete the one term of the program that was terminated before anyone completed it.  He submits a unit report showing that he was hospitalized on 20 November 1944 and a copy of his Separation Qualification Record (WD AGO Form 100) showing that he completed Term 1, (7 weeks) of ASTP.

4.  The decisional documents reflecting the Board’s 14 January 1999 and 
12 April 2000 reviews of his request is incorporated herein by reference as if wholly set forth.

5.  The applicant’s submissions are new evidence that require Board consideration.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The statements of individuals are inadequate as the sole basis for an award of the Purple Heart because they do not fulfill the regulatory requirement that there be a record of medical treatment.  However, they are normally accepted as a substantiation of the combat or the enemy origin of a wound for which there is a record of treatment.  In this case, the unit record confirms that the applicant was hospitalized as reported by his wartime comrades.  He is entitled to award of the Purple Heart.

2.  The WD AGO Form 100 confirms that the applicant completed one term of the ASTP.  Although no one completed the course because it was cancelled, it should be listed on his discharge document as an exception to policy.

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, correcting  the applicant’s records as recommended below would rectify an injustice.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by:

a.  showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for a wound sustained as the result of enemy action on 20 November 1944, and;

b. listing Army Special Training Program (7 weeks) in Block 41 of his WD AGO 53-55.              

BOARD VOTE:

_RVO___  __MKP_  __EJA ___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_Raymond V. Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000042516	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000914	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.	100.07	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.