PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:  10 April 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2000050391

	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. Vic Whitney		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Sherri V. Ward		Chairperson	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		Member	
	Mr. George Paxson		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, in effect, that he be awarded the basic aviation badge (previously known as the aircraft crew member badge) and that his records correctly reflect his assignment as a door gunner with the 57th Helicopter Company.

3.  The applicant states that he performed duties as a helicopter door gunner in Vietnam.  His DA Form 20 (Qualification Record) does not show that he served in the 57th Aviation Company and his dates of reassignment are incorrect.  He has been unable to obtain any flight records.  He submits copies of his military records and a statement from a fellow former service member in support of his application.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted and entered active duty on 7 July 1969.  He completed training as a aircraft maintenance apprentice, military occupational specialty (MOS) 67A and as a helicopter repairer, MOS 67M.  He was assigned to Vietnam from 19 August 1970 through 15 August 1971.

5.  His DA Form 20 shows that he was assigned to the 119th Aviation Company from 26 August to 3 December 1970 in MOS 67N, helicopter mechanic.  During this same period of time he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM) for meritorious achievement from 24 August to 22 December 1970 as a member of the 57th Aviation Company.  This award does not appear on the applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge).

6.  His next assignment listed on his DA Form 20 is to the 213th Aviation Company, effective 12 December 1970, as a helicopter repairman, MOS 67U.  His DA Form 20 shows that he remained with that company until his departure from Vietnam.

7.  Effective 17 February 1972 he was separated from active duty and transferred to the USAR.  Neither the ARCOM nor the aircraft crew member badge are listed on his DD Form 214 as authorized awards.

8.  The statement from a fellow former service member states that he and the applicant served in the same aviation company for approximately 5 months.  The fellow former service member attests to the applicant serving as a door gunner during this time.

9.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided the policy for awards. It provided for the permanent award of the aircraft crew member badge to soldiers upon successful completion of formal advanced individual training (AIT) in the career management field 67.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Notwithstanding the absence of orders issuing the applicant the aircraft crew member badge, he successfully completed AIT in a career management field 67 MOS and served successfully in his MOS.

2.  The regulation in effect at the time clearly indicated that the applicant was entitled to the award of the aircraft crew member badge and he is entitled to have it added to his records along with the missing award of the ARCOM.

3.  The DA Form 20 is an obsolete form and no longer made available.  It is not possible to make corrections to this obsolete form concerning the applicant’s assignment history.

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 for the individual concerned be corrected by showing that he was awarded the ARCOM and the basic aviation badge (previously known as the aircraft crew member badge).

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__sw___  __ja___  __gp___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Sherri V. Ward___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000050391	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010410	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.