PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           31 May 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999029286

	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.  

	Mrs. Joyce A. Hughes		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James E. Vick		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Member	
	Mr. John P. Infante		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 DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show that he was awarded the Air Medal.

3.  The applicant states in effect, that his DD Form 214 should reflect the award of the Air Medal w/V device for time in Vietnam.  He submits evidence in support of his application.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army 
on 22 July 1966.  On 15 October 1968, he was honorably discharge and immediately reenlisted on 16 October 1968.  He was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).

5.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) and his DD Form 214, shows that he served in the Republic of Vietnam from 12 December 1967 to 15 October 1968.  On 18 August 1970, the applicant was retired by reason of a physical disability.  His separation document does not show that he was awarded the Air Medal nor does his DA Form 20 show the award.

6.  Further review of the applicant’s records revealed General Orders #10545 from the Commanding General, Headquarters 101st Airborne Division dated 
30 November 1968, awarded the applicant the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Republic of Vietnam.  The applicant provided a copy of the citation for the Air Medal and a copy of his award certificate.

7.  DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards) dated 14 June 
1999, awarded the applicant the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal w/3 bronze service stars, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Vietnam Campaign Medal w/device (1960), the Marksman Badge w/Rifle Bar and the Parachutist Badge.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the United States Army, distinguished himself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.  Awards may be made to recognize a single act of merit or heroism or for meritorious service during a period of conflict.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record and the evidence supplied by the applicant clearly shows that the applicant was entitled to and was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Republic of Vietnam.
2.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by amending the applicant’s DD Form 214 to show that he was awarded the Air Medal, the Marksman Badge w/Rifle Bar and adding 3 bronze service stars to the Vietnam Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__jev___  __sk____  __jpi___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			James E. Vick
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999029286	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000531	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0018	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.