PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               17 December 1998
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AC98-12735
                                                  AR1998012404

	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. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Karen L. Wolff		Chairperson	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		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 award of the Air Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation.

3.  The applicant states he accumulated over 150 hours of helicopter “flight time over the entire I, II, and III Corps theater”.  He also states he is entitled to the Presidential Unit Citation for the assault on “Hamburger Hill”.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he entered active duty in March 1968.  He completed training as an infantryman and served in Vietnam from 6 September 1968 to 31 August 1969.  He later served in Korea as a military policeman and was honorably discharged on 14 March 1971.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Air Medal or the Presidential Unit Citation as authorized awards.  The Board notes the applicant is entitled to the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation which are not shown on his DD Form 214.

6.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records awarding him the Air Medal.  There are no flight records or other documents in the applicant’s records showing his flight hours in Vietnam.

7.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) indicates the unit, to which the applicant was assigned in Vietnam, was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for actions during the period 13 June to 23 September 1968 by Department of the Army General Order 38, dated 1971. 

8.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 shows he served as a rifleman (military occupational specialty 11B10) in an infantry company in combat in Vietnam.

9.  The applicant was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation by Department of the Army General Orders Number 42, dated 1972 and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Headquarters Department of the Army General Orders Number 43, dated 1970.

10.  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.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS.  They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence of record, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was awarded the Air Medal or otherwise met the requirements for award of the Air Medal.  Therefore, he is not entitled to this award.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

3.  The applicant served as an infantryman in an infantry unit during combat in Vietnam; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

4.  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 the individual concerned was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

KLW____  MHM____  KLW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC9812735/AR1998012404	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	1998/12/17	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.