PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           27 February 2001   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000048248

	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. Melvin H. Meyer		Member	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		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 has orders for award of the Purple Heart but this award is not shown on a DD Form 214.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DA Form 24 (Service Record); a copy of a WD AGO Form 
53 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) with an effective date of 
9 October 1949; a DD Form 214 with an effective date of 29 December 1958; a DD Form 214 with an effective date of 29 December 1964; a DD Form 214 with an effective date of 31 May 1966; a DD Form 214 with an effective date of 
29 November 1968; a DD Form 4 (Enlistment Record) dated 8 September 1954; a TAGO Form 110 (Notification of Change in Department of the Army Records) dated 21 June 1957; and two pages of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record).     

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he completed over 20 years of active duty on 31 May 1966 when he retired in the rank of sergeant.  He was ordered to active duty on 1 October 1967 and was released from active duty on 29 November 1968 by reason of physical disability.  

5.  The available records contain five DD Forms 214 with separation dates of
9 October 1949, 29 December 1958, 29 December 1964, 31 May 1966 and 
29 November 1968.  His records do not contain a discharge document for the period of service from 10 October 1949 through 7 September 1954.  The five available DD Forms 214 do not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award. 

6.  Section 8 (Wounds Received Through Enemy Action) on the applicant’s DA Form 24 (Service Record) shows the applicant sustained a shrapnel wound to his right hand on 1 November 1950.  Section 9 (Medals, Decorations, and Citations) on the applicant’s DA Form 24 (Service Record) shows that the Purple Heart was awarded by Headquarters, 6th Medium Tank Battalion, General Orders Number 5, dated 1 November 1950.  

7.  Special Regulations 615-360-1 (Separation of Enlisted Personnel), in effect at the time, established the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214.  In pertinent part, it directs that members of the Regular Army and reserve components who are reenlisted in the Regular Army at station of discharge within 24 hours of discharge will not be furnished a DD Form 214.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 1 November 1950 in Korea.   

2.  There is no evidence the applicant received a DD Form 214 for his period of service from 10 October 1949 through 7 September 1954.  

3.  The available DD Forms 214 do not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.  Therefore, as an exception to policy, the Board determined that it would be appropriate to correct item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) on the applicant’s retirement DD Form 214 with an effective date of 31 May 1966 to show award of the Purple Heart. 

4.  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 adding the entry “Purple Heart” in item 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) on the DD Form 214 with an effective date of 31 May 1966 of the individual concerned; and

	b.  by adding the entry “1 November 1950, Korea” in item 27 (Wounds Received As a  Result of Action With Enemy Forces) on his DD Form 214. 

BOARD VOTE:  

JNL____  MHM____  RWA____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__John N. Slone___________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000048248	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010227	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19681129	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-40  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Physical Disability	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0015	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.