PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           13 February 2001  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000048187

	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:

	Ms. June Hajjar		Chairperson	
	Ms. Shirley Powell		Member	
	Mr. Harry B. Oberg		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 Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show award of the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states that he was wounded on his back during his combat tour in Korea.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of a VA Rating Sheet dated 3 December 1958; a copy of a VA Rating Decision dated 1 October 1963 and his DD Form 214. 

4.  The Disabled American Veterans, as counsel for the applicant, supports the applicant’s request for correction of his DD Form 214 to show the Purple Heart.  Counsel points out that the applicant’s records contain orders for the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 23 December 1951.  Counsel also states that the Department of the Veterans Affairs Rating Sheet, dated 3 December 1958, further clarifies the applicant’s injury by stating that his service medical records show that on 23 December 1951 the applicant incurred a lacerated wound of the back in combat.

5.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 20 November 1950.  He served as an infantryman in Korea and was honorably discharged on 23 September 1953.

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

7.  Letter Orders, dated 28 May 1954, show the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 23 December 1951 in Korea.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 23 December 1951 in Korea.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his discharge document to show award of the Purple Heart.

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: 

a.  by showing the entry “Purple Heart” in item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) on the DD Form 214 of the individual concerned; and

b.  by showing the entry “23 December 1951 Korea” in item 29 (Wounds Received as a Result of Action with Enemy) on his DD Form 214. 

BOARD VOTE:  

JH______  SP_____  HBO____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		June Hajjar__________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000048187	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010213	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19530923	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-360 	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration term of service	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0015	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.