PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           13 June 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000035372

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. Kenneth H. Aucock		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon 		Chairperson	
	Mr. John H. Kern		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 that his record be corrected to show the awards that he received, to include the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, and a unit citation. 

3.  The applicant states that he was in Vietnam from December 1968 until       May 1969 and was wounded in combat. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Army for three years on 31 July 1967, completed training as a helicopter mechanic, MOS 67N, and was assigned to a cavalry squadron in Germany.  In December 1968 he was assigned to the 160th Aviation Group in Vietnam, thence to the 101st Aviation Battalion in March 1969, and then to Company A of the 158th Aviation Battalion.  

5.  A 19 May 1969 casualty message shows that the applicant, a crew chief on a utility helicopter, received a fragmentation wound to his left leg, from a hostile rocket propelled grenade, on 15 May 1969.  He was evacuated from the               249th General Hospital to Madigan General Hospital in Tacoma, Washington as a patient on 31 May 1969.  Medical records show that he had multiple fragmentation wounds.  The applicant participated in two campaigns during his tour in Vietnam.  While assigned to Company A, 158th Aviation Battalion, that unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  

6.  In September 1969 the applicant was assigned to an armored cavalry unit at Fort Lewis, Washington.  He received nonjudicial punishment under Article 15, UCMJ on three occasions while assigned to Fort Lewis, and was reduced to pay grade E-1, and barred from reenlistment.  The applicant was released from active duty on 1 August 1970.  He had 3 years of service, and 2 days of lost time.   

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 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 crewmember or non-crewmember flying status. 

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, provides in pertinent part, that an Aircraft Crew Member Badge is awarded to soldiers upon successful completion of formal advanced individual training in career management field 67, and to an individual who has been incapacitated for further flight duty by reason of being wounded as a result of enemy action.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was wounded in action.  He is entitled to award of the Purple Heart. 

2.  The applicant was a crew chief on a helicopter during his five months in Vietnam and was wounded in action during combat.  Although there are no orders showing that he was awarded the Air Medal, it is probable that he met the requirements for that award.  In the interest of justice he should be awarded the Air Medal.

3.  The applicant met the requirements for award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge.  He is entitled to that badge.

4.  The applicant participated in two campaigns in Vietnam.  He is entitled to award of the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars (one for each campaign).  He is also entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

5.  The applicant is entitled to award of the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.
 
6.  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 showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Aircraft Crew Member Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

___bje___  ___eb___  ___jhk__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000035372	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000613	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  46	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.