2.  The applicant requests that his record be corrected to show entitlement to the Purple Heart (PH).  He provided an undated, unsigned, partially edited statement, which appears to be the initiation of a report of survey, which indicated that, due to hostile ground fire, the helicopter in which the applicant and a senior NCO were passengers, crashed.

3.  On 9 June 1967, after serving in the Regular Army in an enlisted status between 30 June 1966 and 8 June 1967, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant, Infantry.

4.  During the period 8 March 1968-4 July 1969, he was assigned to units in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN).

5.  On 23 November 1973, a physical examination indicated “1. Possible mild chronic low back strain.  2. Right midfoot strain. 3. Possible early arthritis right acromiecloviculer (sic) joint.  ND” and followed by the handwritten indication of ”injury to back from aircraft crash”.

6.  On 1 May 1974, he was honorably released from active duty under Army Regulation 635-100.  His Report of Separation indicates that he had a total of 7 years,       10 months, and 2 days of creditable service.  

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, indicates, in pertinent part, that the PH is awarded to soldiers who are wounded as a result of hostile action and are treated by a medical officer and that treatment is recorded in the official record.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The preponderance of evidence shows that the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile fire and treated by medical authorities, as shown on his physical examination.

2.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it is fair to conclude that the applicant is entitled to have his record corrected, as shown below.


RECOMMENDATION:
That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was wounded, by hostile action, on 18 November 1968 and is entitled to award of the PH.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON