ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


IN THE CASE OF: 
BOARD DATE:  31 January 2019
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170014522


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Purple Heart

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	Certificate of Death for (Former Service Member), dated 14 November 2016
*	State of Michigan Register’s Statement, Acceptance of Appointment and Letters 
of Authority for Personal representative

FACTS:

1.	The applicant states her father passed away in November of 2016 and she is trying 
to find proof of his Purple Heart that he received in Vietnam in order to place it on his 
grave marker.

2.	She currently has part of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from 
Active Duty), and what he received from Missouri. However, she needs black and white 
proof to get the grave marker completed.  She is aware that the FSM received the 
Purple Heart for shrapnel in his leg and hearing loss and he also received disability 
benefits from the Army.

3.	The applicant's father:

*	entered active duty on 11 September 1967
*	was honorably released from active duty on 19 April 1972 according to his DD 
Form 214

4.	The applicant’s father's record does not contain orders that show he was previously 
awarded the Purple Heart, nor does his record contain any documentation pertaining to 
the treatment of any wounds or injuries he sustained during his service in Vietnam.

5.	Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Purple Heart is awarded for a 
wound sustained in action against an enemy or as a result of hostile action.



BOARD DISCUSSION:

The Board considered the applicant’s request with all supporting documents, evidence 
in the service record and applicable policies and guidance. The Board was sympathetic 
to the applicant’s loss of her father and recognizes her father’s honorable service. The 
service member’s record unfortunately does not provide sufficient evidence to support 
award of the Purple Heart in accordance with Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military 
Awards) which requires evidence he was wounded in action against an enemy or as a 
result of hostile action, his wound must have required treatment by medical personnel, 
and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record. Due to lack 
of evidence, the Board finds relief is not warranted.

BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:
:
:
GRANT FULL RELIEF
:
:
:
GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
:
:
:
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
X
X
X
DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or 
injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient 
as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.


I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the
Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.



REFERENCES:

Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Purple Heart is awarded for a 
wound sustained while in action against an enemy or 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 by medical personnel, and the 
medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record. Examples of 
enemy-related injuries which clearly justify award of the Purple Heart are as follows:

*	Injury caused by enemy bullet, shrapnel, or other projectile created by enemy 
action
*	Injury caused by enemy placed mine or trap
*	Injury caused by enemy released chemical, biological, or nuclear agent
*	Injury caused by vehicle or aircraft accident resulting from enemy fire
*	Concussion injuries caused as a result of enemy generated explosions