PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:          

	BOARD DATE:               27 May 1999               
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AR1999014704

	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. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Edward Williamson		Chairperson	
	Ms. Meta Waller 		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		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 records to show award of the Purple Heart as a result of wounds he received while serving in the Republic of Vietnam in May 1967.

3.  The applicant states that his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not reflect the Purple Heart and he does not have any record of receiving it. In support of his application, the applicant submits photocopies of a DA Form 1 (Morning Report), dated May 1967, which shows the injuries he received in Vietnam and his DD Form 214 with an effective date of 26 July 1968.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he originally served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 4 November 1964 to 13 March 1965 and successfully completed active duty training as a wheel vehicle mechanic.  In July 1965, he was inducted in the Regular Army.  He briefly served in Germany and then was assigned as a field wireman in Vietnam from 12 August 1966 to 11 August 1967. On 26 July 1968, the applicant was retired from active duty in the grade of E-5 by reason of physical disability.  

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.  The Board notes that the applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation which is not shown on his discharge document.

6.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he sustained a wound to his right leg on 9 May 1967.  His service medical records show that he sustained fragment wounds when his vehicle struck an enemy land mine in Vietnam and these wounds resulted in amputation of his right leg below the knee. 

7.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 48, dated 1971.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Purple Heart.

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 the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on 9 May 1967 in Vietnam and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

EW_____  MW_____  KLW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Edward Williamson_____
		CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999014704	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990527	
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.