PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           25 September 2001                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001059912

	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	
	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Lester Echols		Member	
	Mr. Ronald E. Blakely		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 that the Purple Heart be added to his Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant makes no additional statement.  He provides a copy of his Purple Heart certificate as supporting evidence.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that, after having had prior enlisted service, he entered active duty as a commissioned officer on 29 August 1969 in the Field Artillery.

5.  The applicant arrived in Vietnam on or about 3 September 1968 and was assigned to the 3d Battalion, 18th Field Artillery.  He was reassigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery on 9 February 1969.  The provided certificate, dated 14 August 1969, shows he was awarded the Purple Heart by the 91st Evacuation Hospital for wounds received in action on 17 May 1969.  

6.  The applicant departed Vietnam on or about 19 August 1969.  His Report of Medical History, SF 88, dated 20 August 1969 indicates in item 39, Physician’s Summary and Elaboration of All Pertinent Data, that the applicant received fragmentation wounds to the face, buttocks, left shoulder and left index finger in May 1969.  He was released from active duty on 21 August 1969.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations.  In pertinent part, it states that the Purple Heart is awarded to any member of an Armed Force who has been wounded or killed in any action against an enemy of the United States.  The wound must have required treatment by a medical officer and records of medical treatment for wounds or injuries received in action must have been made a matter of official record.  All units assigned to Vietnam were awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The provided Purple Heart certificate is corroborated by the entry on the 20 August 1969 SF 88.  The Board concludes that there is sufficient evidence to show the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart.

2.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 should also be amended to add the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the applicant’s DD Form 214 be amended to add the Purple Heart and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm.

BOARD VOTE:  

__jns___  __le____  __reb___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			John N. Slone
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001059912	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010925	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.04	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.