PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                19 September 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR2000043481

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Hubert O. Fry, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. John P. Infante		Member	
	Ms. Regan K. Smith		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 for wounds received in combat.

3.  The applicant states that his discharge document does not show that he was wounded in action in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55, a copy of a Western Union Telegram and a copy of a newspaper clipping.

4.  The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show he entered active duty on 17 February 1941 as a scout (761).  He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations from 1 September 1942 to 24 August 1945 and was honorably discharged on 24 September 1945.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.  Item 34 (Wounds Received in Action) of the applicant’s 
WD AGO Form 53-55, which was authenticated in his own hand, shows the entry “None”.  There is no record that the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart. 

6.  The applicant provided a copy of a Western Union Telegram from the Adjutant General of the Army which shows he was wounded in action in the Southwest Pacific on 31 May 1944.

7.  The Board notes that the applicant is eligible for award of the World War II Victory Medal, which is not shown on his discharge document.

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.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the World War II Victory Medal.  It is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was wounded in action on 31 May 1944 while serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart and correction of his records to show this award.

2.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant is entitled to award of the World War II Victory Medal.  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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart and the World War II Victory Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

HOF____  JPI______  RKS____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_HUBET O. FRY, JR.__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000043481	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	200009xx	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19450924	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  61		
2.  112		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.