PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  8 July 1999                         
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR1999017263

	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. Rosa M. Chandler		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. June Hajjar		Chairperson	
	Mr. Raymond V. O'Connor		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 military records to show award of the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he has provided a photocopy of the Purple Heart Certificate that he was awarded on 18 June 1968 for wounds received in action on 20 May 1968.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 31 August 1967, he completed basic and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 64A (Light Vehicle Driver).  He served in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) from 4 February 1968 - 31 January 1969.  He was assigned to a unit which was a part of the 1st Logistics Command. He was honorably discharged on 28 August 1970.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award nor do his records show that he was wounded in combat operations. 

6.  The Purple Heart Certificate was issued to the applicant on 18 June 1968 and is signed by a major general.  A check with the Center for Military History shows that this general officer commanded the 1st Logistics Command at the time.  He had approval authority for award of the Purple Heart.

7.  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.  Sustaining 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. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant provided a photocopy of the Purple Heart Certificate that he was awarded on 18 June 1968 for wounds received during hostile action on 
20 May 1968.  This certificate was authenticated by a general officer in command who had approval authority for award of the Purple Heart.  

2.  Therefore, the Board presumes regularity in the processing of this award.
As an exception to policy, 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 an exception to policy, as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected, as an exception to policy, by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for combat injury received on 20 May 1968, while serving in the RVN.

BOARD VOTE:  

JH_____  RVO____  RWA____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  _______  _________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999017263	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990708	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19700828	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR635-200  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration Term of Service	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	A92.04	
2.	A92.10	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.