PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           02 APRIL 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002069474

	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. Gale J. Thomas		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Walter T. Morrison		Chairperson	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		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 that his records be corrected by awarding him the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states that he was previously awarded the Purple Heart but it was destroyed in a fire and when he tried to have it replaced he was told it had to be added to his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.)  In support of his request the applicant submits a copy of his DD Form 214, and other medical statements concerning his wounds.

4.  The applicant’s military records could not be located at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and in all probability, they were lost or destroyed in the 1973 fire at that agency.  

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, effective 20 July 1951 shows that he was wounded in Korea on 5 May 1951, and that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star. 

6.  Clinical Record Briefs for 5 May 1951 and 9 May 1951 indicate the applicant was wounded in action on 5 May 1951 by missile fire.  The brief dated 9 May 1951 contains an annotation that the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart.

7.  By virtue of the applicant’s assignment with 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Division in Korea between November 1950 and May 1951, he is entitled to the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, two Presidential Unit Citations (Navy), the United Nations Service Medal and three Bronze Service Stars on his Korean Service Medal instead of the one currently reflected on his separation document.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action while in Korea and as such is entitled to an award of the Purple Heart.  His records should be corrected accordingly.   

2.  The applicant is also entitled to the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, two Presidential Unit Citations (Navy), the United Nations Service Medal and three Bronze Service Stars on his Korean Service Medal. 

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: 

	a.  by awarding the individual concerned the Purple Heart; and

	b.  by showing that he is entitled to the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, two Presidential Unit Citations (Navy), the United Nations Service Medal, and three Bronze Service Stars on his Korean Service Medal.  

BOARD VOTE:  

___WTM_  __CLG__  __RK   __  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___Walter T. Morrison__  
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002069474	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020402	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.