PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           17 October 2000 
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000043355

	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	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Ms. Linda D. Simmons		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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show an unspecified number of Air Medals.

3.  The applicant states that he served as a door gunner on several helicopter operations in Vietnam.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 6 July 1967.  He served as a helicopter mechanic in Vietnam from 23 January 1968 through 
22 January 1969 and was honorably released on 3 July 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show any authorized awards of the Air Medal.  

6.  The applicant’s records show that he was on flight status as a crewmember effective 15 February 1968.  However, there are no flight hours recorded in his records and there are no General Orders for award of the Air Medal.

7.  The applicant’s personnel records show he completed advanced individual training (AIT) in career management field 67N (single rotor turbine helicopter maintenance) on 13 December 1967 and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 67N.  His records show he served in MOS 67N during his assignment in Vietnam.

8.  1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) General Orders Number 2036, dated 
19 February 1968, show the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam during the period January 1968 to January 1969.  This award is not shown on his discharge document.

9.  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.

10.  MILPER MESSAGE NUMBER 00-138 (date/time group 101221Z April 2000) changed the name of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge to the Aviation Badge and changed the criteria for award of the Basic, Senior and Master Aviation Badges.  This message, in pertinent part, authorizes permanent award of the Basic Aviation Badge to individuals upon successful completion of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) in career management fields (CMF) 67 (aircraft maintenance) and 93 (aviation operations) and to soldiers who previously completed AIT in CMF 
28 (aviation communications and electronic systems maintenance).  This authority also includes permanent award of the Basic Aviation Badge to soldiers holding a 68 series (aircraft components repair) military occupational specialty (MOS); soldiers holding MOS 35L, MOS 35M, MOS 35Q, and MOS 35W who graduated from AIT in CMF 67 prior to 30 September 1996; soldiers holding MOS 93C or MOS 93P who graduated from AIT in CMF 93 after 31 December 1985; soldiers holding MOS 93B who graduated from formal AIT in CMF 93 prior to 1 January 1998; and soldiers previously holding MOS 93D who graduated from a CMF 93 AIT prior to 30 September 1996 based on documented AIT after 31 December 1985.  In all cases, successful completion of AIT or prior AIT is required.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board noted the applicant’s contention that he served as a door gunner on several helicopter operations in Vietnam.  However, there are no flight records or evidence of hours flown to support his contention that he served as a door gunner or was entitled to award of the Air Medal.     

2.  The Board also noted that, in accordance with the governing regulation, the only acceptable source documentation for the Air Medal is the order, letter, or memorandum which awards the decoration.  The applicant’s records do not contain an order, letter, or memorandum which awards the Air Medal.  Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to award of the Air Medal.

3.  The applicant successfully completed AIT in career management field 67 and was awarded MOS 67N.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to award of the Aviation Badge and correction of his military records to show this badge.

4.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.

5.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusion, 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 Aviation Badge and the Bronze Star Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  BJE_____  LDS____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O’Connor___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000043355	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20001017	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19690703	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration term of service	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0018	
2.	107.0118	
3.	107.0014	
4.		
5.		
6.