PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           16 November 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000046080

	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	
	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Walter T. Morrison		Chairperson	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		Member	
	Ms. Martha E. Schuler		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 Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, be corrected to add the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC), the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) 2d oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal (AM) with “V” device 2d oak leaf cluster, the AM with numeral 27, the Purple Heart (PH) 2d oak leaf cluster, and the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) with “V” device.

3.  The applicant makes no further statement.  He provides a citation dated        28 September 1970 awarding him the DFC.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 22 January 1968.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 31B (Field Radio Mechanic).

5.  The applicant arrived in Vietnam on or about 27 June 1968 and was initially assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 8th Battalion, 4th Artillery as a senior radio mechanic.  He was then assigned to the 545th Military Police Company as a 31B20 on 23 August 1969.  He was assigned to Troop D, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry (1/9th Cav), 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) (1st Cav) on   25 August 1969 as a senior radio mechanic.  He was assigned to Troop B, 1/9th Cav, 1st Cav on 20 September 1969 as a senior radio mechanic.  On 3 May 1970, his duties changed to 11D4F (the “F” indicating he was on flying status), aerial reconnaissance specialist.  

6.  General Orders (GO) 13927, Headquarters (HQ), 1st Cav dated 7 November 1969 awarded the applicant the Air Medal.  GO 16286, HQ, 1st Cav dated         20 December 1969 awarded him the BSM.  GO 4858, HQ, 1st Cav dated 2 April 1970 awarded him the PH for wounds received on 3 May 1968.  GO 5932, HQ, 1st Cav dated 16 April 1970 awarded him the BSM 1st oak leaf cluster.  GO 5878, HQ, 1st Cav dated 16 April 1970 awarded him the ARCOM with “V” device for heroism on 18 March 1970.  GO 7661, HQ, 1st Cav dated12 May 1970 awarded him the PH 1st oak leaf cluster.  GO 8604, HQ, 1st Cav dated 26 May 1970 awarded him the AM 1st oak leaf cluster with “V” device for heroism on 7 May 1970.  GO 13290, HQ, 1st Cav awarded him the BSM 2d oak leaf cluster.  GO 179, HQ, 24th Evacuation Hospital dated 10 August 1970 awarded him the PH for wounds received on 6 August 1970.  General Orders 15888, HQ 1st Cav dated 28 August 1970 awarded him the AM for heroism on 6 August 1970.

7.  A citation dated 28 September 1970 shows that the applicant was awarded the DFC for heroism on 28 May 1970.  The U. S. Total Army Personnel Command has verified that GO 17496, HQ, 1st Cav dated 28 September 1970 awarded the applicant the DFC for action on 28 May 1970.

8.  There is no evidence of record, such as USARV Form 131 or flight records, to verify further awards of the AM.
9.  The applicant departed Vietnam on 30 August 1970 and was released from active duty on 12 October 1970.  His DD Form 214 did not list a number of the decorations he was awarded.  It shows he was awarded three service awards.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-2 provides for the award of the Air Medal to any person who will have distinguished himself while participating in aerial flight.  It is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crewmember or noncrewmember flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties.  However, it may also be awarded to personnel whose combat duties require them to fly in the attack elements of units involved in airland assaults against an armed enemy.  Involvement in such activities serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award.

11.  At the time, U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 provided that individuals who traveled by aircraft from point to point for the purpose of participating in combat assaults were eligible for the award of the Air Medal for achievement after completion of 25 assault missions.  For personnel transported by aircraft, a combat assault mission was defined as a mission where friendly troops conducted the initial landings into a hostile area for the purpose of conducting combat or combat support operations.  A passenger may have received credit for one mission for each assault landing completed.

12.  Normally, missions flown by personnel assigned to nonaviation units would have been recorded on USARV Form 131 by the individual and signed by the certifying officer.

13.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 shows that the 8th Battalion, 4th Artillery was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for the period 31 January 1968 through 31 January 1969.  The 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for the period 25 August 1969 through 30 August 1970 and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm for the period 21 February 1970 through 28 February 1971.   

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence of record to verify that the applicant was awarded 27 awards of the AM.

2.  The evidence of record verifies that he was awarded the DFC, the BSM 2d oak leaf cluster, the ARCOM with “V” device, the PH 2d oak leaf cluster, and the AM (once for the basic award and twice for heroism).  He was also assigned to two units during a period of time they were awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and so is entitled to those awards, also.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That applicant’s DD Form 214 be corrected to show he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with “V” device, three awards of the Air Medal (two with “V” device), the Purple Heart with 2 oak leaf clusters, the Valorous Unit Award, the Meritorious Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__wtm___  __jea___  __mes___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Walter T. Morrison
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000046080	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20001116	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	110.04	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.