2.  The applicant requests his DD Form 214 be corrected to show he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Air Medal and to show that he was assigned to Company C at the time of his separation.

3.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted into the Army on       12 November 1965.  He served in Vietnam as a helicopter mechanic, first with Company C, 228th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division from 19 July 1966 to  30 September 1966 and then with Company B of that unit from 1 October 1966 to 16 May 1967, when he was medically evacuated to Camp Zama, Japan.

4.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s records or in the Total Army Personnel Command’s award order files to show the applicant was awarded the Air Medal.

5.  The applicant was honorably separated on 19 August 1967 in pay grade E-4. He had completed 1 year, 9 months and 8 day of creditable active service with no lost time.  Both his conduct and efficiency ratings had been “excellent” throughout his term of service.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, 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.  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.

7.  That regulation also provides for the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge to a soldier who is an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, who is assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must actively participate in such ground combat.  Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the CIB.

8.  It also provides that the Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded for each        3 years of continuous enlisted active service completed on or after 27 August 1940.  The first award only may be awarded, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950, of less than 3 years but more than 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s DA Form 20, Personnel Qualification Record, shows he was assigned to Company B, 228th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division when he departed Vietnam.  His DD Form 214 is correct.

2.  The applicant is not eligible for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge as he was not an infantryman performing infantry duties.

3.  The applicant may be eligible for the Air Medal; however, there is no evidence in his records nor does he supply any that he was actually awarded that medal.

4.  The applicant is entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 12 November 1965 to 19 August 1967.

5.  In view of the foregoing, it would be in the interest of justice to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records pertaining to the individual concerned be corrected to show he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

                                                                         
    CHAIRPERSON