PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           3 October 2000    
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000043493

	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. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		Member	
	Mr. Richard T. Dunbar		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 that he received the Purple Heart for combat wounds in Vietnam and the award is not shown on his DD Form 214.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of DA form 8-275-3 (Clinical Record Cover Sheet) dated 6 July 1966; VA documentation dated 14 October 1968; and a copy of his DD Form 214. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 30 August 1965.  He served as a light weapons infantryman in Vietnam from April 1966 to March 1967 and was honorably released on 29 August 1967.

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

6.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel service records which show he was awarded the Purple Heart.  However, the applicant provided a copy of DA Form 8-275-3 (Clinical Record Cover Sheet), dated 6 July 1966, which shows that he sustained a fragment wound to his left forearm on 6 July 1966 in Vietnam as a result of hostile action.  Item 25 (Selected Administrative Data) on the form shows “Patient is recommended for award of the Purple Heart.”   

7.  Item 40 (Wounds) on the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows the entry “FW [fragment wound] lt [left] wrist 6Jul66”.

8.  25th Infantry Division General Orders Number 1191, dated 4 April 1967, show the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during the period April 1966 to March 1967 in Vietnam.  This award is not shown on his discharge document.   

9.  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.  Medical evidence of record shows the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action on 6 July 1966 in Vietnam.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show award of the Purple Heart.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 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 Bronze Star Medal. 

BOARD VOTE:  

JNS____  RJW____  RTD_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		John N. Slone___________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000043493	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20001003	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19670829	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200   	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration term of service	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT PLUS)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0015	
2.	107.0014	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.