2.  The applicant requests award of the Air Medal.  He states he spent two tours in Vietnam, flew numerous missions, his aircraft was struck by hostile fire on two occasions, and received but one Air Medal.  He also states that he was a co-pilot on a mission where they crashed and all aboard received burns.

3.  The applicant’s military records show he served in Vietnam from 12 March 1967 - 22 March 1968 (assigned to the 2d Signal Group) and from 18 September 1969 - 4 September 1970 (assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 224th Aviation Battalion and/or the 144th Aviation Company) as a warrant officer fixed wing pilot.  The aircraft he flew included the U-6, a single-engine utility craft, usually used for cargo and passenger hauling; the U-6, similar to but larger than the U-6, with similar missions; the U-8, a twin-engine craft primarily used for carrying passengers; and the U-21, a twin-engine craft used primarily for both cargo and passenger missions.

4.  The applicant’s flight records are available for both periods.  

5.  The applicant received one Air Medal for the period 19 Mar - 14 May 1967, during which period he had completed 100 flight hours and 229 landings.  This indicates that he flew Category III missions.  

6.  From 15 May 1967 - 17 February 1968, the applicant flew six periods of      100 flight hours.  (From 18 February - 16 March 1968, his flight hours only came to 61.9 hours).  From 24 September 1969 - 14 August 1968, he flew seven periods of 100 flight hours.  (From 15 August - 25 August, his flight hours only came to 29 hours).

7.  Phone conversation with the VA’s Winston-Salem, NC office on 3 September 1998 verified that on 27 May 1967 the applicant was involved in a helicopter crash at Binh Long Air Field and was treated for first degree burns to his face, neck and lower arms.

8.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained as a result of hostile action.  Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that the wound was the result of hostile action, the wound must have required treatment by a medical officer, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.

9.  That regulation also provided 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.  

10.  U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 provided for the award of the Air Medal after completion of each 25 Category I missions with accrual of a minimum of    25 hours of flight time; completion of 50 Category II missions with 50 hours of flight time; and completion of 100 Category III missions with 100 hours of flight time.  Category I missions included combat assault; armed helicopter fire support or armed reconnaissance; Category II missions included air land or parachute resupply not connected with a combat assault; aero-medical evacuation not connected with a combat assault, interdiction, or air cover; Category II missions included search and rescue, visual or photo reconnaissance, convoy control or air land resupply.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is evidence in the applicant’s medical records to show he was involved in a helicopter crash, injured and treated.  However, there is no record of what caused the crash.  Before the Purple Heart could be awarded, the applicant would need to supply evidence to show it was downed because of hostile action.

2.  There is evidence to show the applicant should have been awarded at least six additional awards of the Air Medal during his first tour in Vietnam and an additional seven during his second tour.  There is no direct evidence to show the type of missions, i.e., Categories I, II or III, he flew.  This Board must take as indirect evidence the fact his first Air Medal, awarded while in Vietnam, was awarded after the completion of 100 flight hours, which would indicate he flew Category III missions.  The type of fixed wing aircraft he flew on both tours also tends to support this.

3.  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 related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual is entitled to award of the Air Medal (Numeral 2 through 7) for the period 15 May 1967 - 17 February 1968 and (Numeral 8 through 14) for the period 24 September 1969 - 14 August 1970.

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