PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            26 August 1999    
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999015705

	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	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Shirley L. Powell		Chairperson	
	Mr. Samuel Calderon		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		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 an unspecified number of Air Medals, the Expert (Machinegun) Qualification Badge and the Marksman (Pistol) Qualification Badge.  

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he flew combat missions for approximately
15 months on helicopter slicks and gunships.  He contends that all gunship operations were “fire fly or tree line smoke runs on Viking Surprise” which meant that every hour he was in the air it was one hour of combat.  He also contends that his finance records will show how many months he was on flight pay, that he should have been awarded more than one Air Medal since he was assigned to an assault company and that he was an expert with an M-60 machinegun and a marksman with a .45 automatic.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 14 November 1966 for a period of 3 years.  He served as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief in Vietnam from 19 October 1967 to 14 June 1969 and was honorably discharged on 16 June 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge), which was authenticated in his own hand, shows one Air Medal and one Air Medal with “V” Device as authorized awards.  The DD Form 214 does not show the Expert (Machinegun) or the Marksman (Pistol) Qualification Badges as authorized awards.

6.  The applicant’s personnel records show he was awarded one Air Medal for the period covering 31 May 1968 to 11 June 1968 and awarded one Air Medal with “V” Device for heroic actions on 12 July 1968.

7.  There are no flight hours recorded in the applicant’s personnel records.

8.  The applicant’s records show that his flight status was terminated effective
18 July 1968.

9.  Headquarters 13th Aviation Battalion Special Orders Number 101, dated 
14 April 1969, shows the applicant was awarded the primary military occupational specialty (MOS) 67N2F (crew chief) effective that date and MOS 67N20 (helicopter mechanic) was withdrawn.  

10. There is no evidence in the applicant’s personnel records that he was awarded or qualified for the Expert (Machinegun) or the Marksman (Pistol) Qualification Badges.  

11.  Headquarters 10th Aviation Group Special Orders Number 177, dated
24 August 1967, shows the applicant was awarded the Aircraft Crewman Badge. 

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, sets forth requirements for award of basic marksmanship qualification badge.  The qualification badge is awarded to indicate the degree in which an individual has qualified in a prescribed record course, and an appropriate bar is furnished to denote each weapon with which the individual has qualified.  The qualification badges are in three classes:  Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board noted the applicant’s contention that he flew combat missions for approximately 15 months on helicopter slicks and gunships.  However, the evidence of record shows that he was transferred to Vietnam on 19 October 1967 for duty as a helicopter mechanic and his flight status was terminated on 
18 July 1968.

2.  The evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded one Air Medal for the period 31 May 1968 to 11 June 1968 and one Air Medal with “V” Device for actions on 12 July 1968.

3.  There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was recommended for, awarded, or otherwise qualified for subsequent awards of the Air Medal.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his military records to show additional awards of the Air Medal.   

4.  There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was awarded or qualified for the Expert (Machinegun) or the Marksman (Pistol) Qualification Badges.  Therefore, he is not entitled to correction of his military records to show these awards.  

5.  The applicant was awarded the Aircraft Crewman Badge; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this award. 

6.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only 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 Aircraft Crewman Badge.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

SLP____  SC______  BJE_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Shirley L. Powell_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999015705	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990826	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19690616	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200, Chapter 5	
DISCHARGE REASON	Overseas Returnee	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0018	
2.	107.0108	
3.	107.0110	
4.		
5.		
6.