PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF

	BOARD DATE:            20 April 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999021592

	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.  

	Ms. Gale Thomas		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Walter T. Morrison		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger Able		Member	
	Ms. Margaret V. Thompson		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 that his records be corrected by showing he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Aircraft Crew Member Badge (which the applicant mistakenly refers to as Air Wings), and Marksman with M-16 Rifle (the Board notes that the applicant was awarded the Expert Qualification Badge with Rifle and Grenade Bar, therefore the Marksman with M-16 will not be addressed); he also request that his records show that he was a door gunner and a point man.  In support of his request the applicant submits copies of his  DD Form 214, and DD Form 215, which corrected his service dates and his amount of lost time; as well as a copy of his newly prepared DD Form 214 , which upgrades his character of service to honorable.  

3.  The applicant states that his records should be searched to correct the errors he noted, and to determine if anything else should be added.   

4.  The applicant’s military records show that on 18 February 1971, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for the period 1 December 1970 to       1 February 1971, for time served in the Republic of Vietnam.

5.  The applicant served in Vietnam from 1 September 1970 to 27 September 1971, in the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 11B, Rifleman.

6.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provides that the Army
Commendation Medal may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after              6 December 1941, distinguished himself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

7.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provides that an individual must be on flying status to be awarded the Aircraft Crew Member Badge, or have successfully completed formal advanced individual training (AIT) in career management filed (CMF) 67 MOS’, and those who previously completed AIT in CMF 28 MOS’.

8.  Army Regulation 635-5 establishes the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the DD Form 214, which contains no provisions for specifying the location, duration or specific type of assignments covered by the period of service recorded on the report of separation.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Orders published by Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division (AIRMOBILE) confirm that the applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service on 18 February 1971 for the period 1 December 1970 through                  1 February 1971.  

2.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s records to show that he had been on  flight status or that he was ever awarded CMF 67 MOS or CMF 28 MOS, and as such is not entitled to the Aircraft Crew Member Badge. 

3.  The applicant states that he was a door gunner, a point man, and a tunnel rat, there is no evidence in his records that describes these assignments, nor are there provisions that would allow a soldier’s duty assignments to placed on the DD Form 214. 

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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service during the period 1 December 1970 through 1 February 1971.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

___wtm__  ___ra___  ___mvt__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999021592	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000420	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 107.00		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.