APPLICANT REQUESTS:  Award of the Air Medal for his service in Korea between November 1974 and December 1975.

APPLICANT STATES:  As the battalion mail clerk he flew every Tuesday to the Seoul U.S. Army Hospital and every Thursday he would deliver mail to the troops on the demilitarized zone.  He believes that risking his life on these helicopters deserves some type of recognition.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The  applicant’s military records show:

He initially enlisted in the Army National Guard in October 1970.  He enlisted in the Regular Army on 19 August 1974.  His first tour in Korea was from              19 November 1974 - 12 December 1975.  He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for the period 24 November 1974 - 12 December 1975 for service as the battalion mail clerk.  He was discharged on 11 May 1978.  He currently is in the Air Force Reserve.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides for the award of the Air Medal to any person who will have distinguished himself while participating in aerial flight.  It is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crewmember or noncrewmember flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties.  However, it may also be awarded to personnel whose combat duties require them to fly in the attack elements of units involved in airland assaults against an armed enemy or to individuals who perform a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crewmember.  Involvement in such activities serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  The applicant has submitted no evidence to show he met the eligibility criteria for award of the Air Medal, such as performing a particularly noteworthy act while performing the function of a crewmember while carrying the mail to the troops.

2.  In view of the foregoing, there appears to be no basis for granting the applicant’s request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT 

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

                          Loren G. Harrell
     Director