PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                12 January 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999032678

	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.  

	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone			
	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright			
	Mr. Luther L. Santiful			

	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, in effect, that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his DD Form 214 does not show the Purple Heart or the Bronze Star Medal.  In support of his application he submits copies of award certificates for the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he enlisted on 3 May 1967 as a light weapons infantryman.  He served in Vietnam from 20 October 1967 to 
16 October 1968 and was honorably discharged on 2 May 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge (Rifle M-14), the Marksman Qualification Badge (Rifle M-16) and two Overseas Service Bars.  His discharge document does not show the Purple Heart or Bronze Star Medal as authorized awards.

6.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, which shows that he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 29 April 1968.
Additionally, his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows the entry 
“FW: (L) ARM & BUTTOCKS 29Apr68” [fragment wound left arm and buttocks 29 Apr 68].

7.  The applicant provided a copy of an award certificate, which shows that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces while serving in Vietnam from October 1967 to
October 1968.

8.  A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 23 June 1989 shows the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the Purple Heart and the Vietnam
Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 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.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There are no orders available to the Board which authorize award of the Purple Heart or the Bronze Star Medal to the applicant.  However, there is evidence of record which shows the applicant was wounded in action and the 
applicant has provided evidence that he was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal.  Upon review, the Board has determined that this evidence is sufficient as a basis for correction of his records to show these awards.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records 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 in item 24 (Decorations and Awards) of his DD Form 214 that he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

JNS_____  INW____  LLS_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		John N. Slone_________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999032678	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000112	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19690502	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES        1. 61		
2.  60		
3.  140		
4.  		
5.		
6.