PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           19 March 2002      
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001066009

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Shirley Powell		Chairperson	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge		Member	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		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 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) with an effective date of 
7 September 1966 to show award of the Purple Heart.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that item 27 (Wounds Received as a Result of Action with Enemy Forces) on his DD Form 214 shows that he was wounded in Vietnam on 27 July 1966.  However, his discharge document does not show award of the Purple Heart.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 with an effective date of 7 September 1966.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 12 September 1960 for a period of 3 years.  He served as an aircraft engine repairman in Vietnam from 15 January 1962 through 19 December 1962 and was honorably discharged on 11 September 1963.  He reenlisted on 12 September 1963 for a period of 3 years.  He served a second tour in Vietnam as an aircraft engine repairman from 8 July 1964 until he was honorably discharged on 7 September 1966. 

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 with an effective date of 7 September 1966 does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.  However, item 
27 (Wounds Received as a Result of Action with Enemy Forces) shows the entry, “SCALP LACERATION 27 JUL 66 REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM.”

6.  The Vietnam Casualty Roster shows the applicant was wounded in action on 27 July 1966.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 with an effective date of 7 September 1966 does not show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.  However, this DD Form 214 does show that he was wounded as a result of action with enemy forces on 27 July 1966 in Vietnam.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 with an effective date of 7 September 1966 to show award of the Purple Heart. 

2.  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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received as a result of enemy forces on 27 July 1966 in Vietnam.

BOARD VOTE:  

SP_____  EJA_____  SK______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___Shirley Powell______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001066009	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020319	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	 	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0015	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.