PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           20 May 1999                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1998012970

	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	
	Mr. Kenneth Aucock		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Ernest M. Willcher		Chairperson	
	Mr. Hubert O. Fry, Jr.		Member	
	Ms. Margaret V. Thompson		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 that his DD Form 214 reflect that he received the Army Commendation Medal with V device, and two awards of the Purple Heart, vice the one award shown.  He also requests additional awards of the Air Medal while a crew chief with the174th Aviation Company and later with the 129th Aviation Company.  He requests copies of orders authorizing his awards, and requests the Aircraft Crew Member Badge (which he has been awarded).  He also requests any unit citations for his service in units that were awarded citations. 

3.  The applicant states that he was wounded on two separate occasions, on    21 March and again on 6 September 1968, and that he received the Army Commendation Medal with V device for his actions on 6 September 1968.  He states that he logged over 2,000 hours of [flying] time in direct combat support with the aforementioned units during his two years in Vietnam.  He lost most of his orders authorizing his awards, and was never issued the Aircraft Crew Member Badge.  He believes that the units he was with may have been awarded citations.    

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Army for three years on 11 August 1966, completed training as an aircraft maintenance mechanic, and in March 1967 was assigned to the 129th Assault Helicopter  Company in Vietnam.  He was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement for the period 13 May to 29 May 1967.  On 2 July 1967 orders were published requiring him to participate regularly and frequently in aerial flight as a nonaviator-crew member crew chief.  In August 1967 he was assigned to the 174th Aviation Company.  He was awarded the Aircraft Crewman Badge on         13 November 1967 and promoted to pay grade E-4 on 29 January 1968.  He received the Air Medal with “V” device for his actions on 12 February 1968.

5.  A certificate which he submits with his application shows that the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 21 March 1968; and orders and a certificate show that he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 6 September 1968.  A certificate that he submits with his application shows that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for heroism for his actions on 6 September 1968.  In December he was reassigned back to the 129th Assault Helicopter Company.  On 8 May 1969 he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.  He returned to the United States and was released from active duty at Fort Lewis, Washington on 14 May 1969.  His rank at the time of his separation was Specialist Five E-5, and he had           2 years, 9 months, and 4 days of service.  His DD Form 214 shows one award of the Purple Heart, shows only one award of the Air Medal (Air Medal with “V” device), shows that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, but fails to show that it was awarded for heroism (“V” device), and does not show any unit citation awards.     
 
6.  The applicant served in Vietnam from March 1967 until May 1969 and participated in seven campaigns.  The 129th Assault Helicopter Company was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation during his assignment to that unit; and the 174th Aviation Company was awarded the Valorous Unit Award during his assignment with that unit.  

7.   Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service while participating in aerial flight.  This award is primarily intended for personnel on flying status, but may also be awarded to those personnel whose combat duties require them to fly, for example personnel in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy.  Awards may be made for single acts of meritorious achievement.  Awards for meritorious service may be made for sustained distinction in the performance of duties involving regular and frequent participation in aerial flight for a period of at least 6 months.  Accumulation of a specified number of hours and missions will not serve as the basis for award of the Air Medal.    

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for heroism for his actions on 6 September 1968.  His DD Form 214 should reflect that award.

2.  He was wounded in action on 21 March  and again on 6 September 1968.  His DD Form 214 should reflect that he was awarded the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster.   

3.  The applicant was awarded the Air Medal for heroism and for meritorious achievement.  His DD Form 214 should reflect both awards.

4.  He served in seven campaigns during his tour of duty in Vietnam.  His         DD Form 214 should reflect award of the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star and two bronze service stars.

5.  The applicant was assigned to the 129th Assault Helicopter Company when that unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.  He was assigned to the174th Aviation Company when that unit received the Valorous Unit Award.  His          DD Form 214 should reflect these awards.   

6.  The applicant should be issued the Aircraft Crew Member Badge, and copies of orders contained in his record authorizing him awards and decorations should be forwarded to him.

7.  Notwithstanding the applicant’s contentions that he should have received additional awards of the Air Medal, his records do not reflect any awards of that medal not previously mentioned, nor do his records show that he was recommended for any additional awards of that medal.  Therefore, he is not entitled to any additional awards of the Air Medal.
 
8.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, both the Air Medal with “V” device, and the Air Medal for meritorious achievement, the Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and two bronze service stars, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Valorous Unit Award. 

2.  The Aircraft Crew Member Badge should be issued to him, and he should be forwarded all available orders authorizing him awards and decorations. 

3.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied. 

BOARD VOTE:  

__emw_  __hof___  ___mvt__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998012970	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990520	
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.