MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:            12 April 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999029941

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Ms Gale J. Thomas		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Mr. James P. Stueve		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his records be corrected by changing his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show he was awarded the Air Medal w/oak leaf cluster, the Aircraft Crew Member Badge (referred to by the applicant as Crewman’s Wings), the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Sharpshooter Machine Gun Badge. 

APPLICANT STATES:  That he has received the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon.  

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

On 8 August 1966, he was inducted into the Army of the United States for a period of 2 years.

He served in Vietnam from 8 March 1967 to 7 March 1968, in the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 68G, Air Frame Repairman.

On 7 August 1968 he was honorably discharged under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200, chapter 2, for expiration term of service.  His Report of Separation indicates he had 2 years of creditable service; and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal W/2 Bronze Service Stars, 2 Overseas Bars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 1960, the Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) and the Sharpshooter Bar for Rifle (M-14).  

On 18 May 1999, the applicant was issued the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Medal. He was informed that the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device (1960) is an item of individual purchase and he was only issued the ribbon portion of the award.  

On 26 August 1999, a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) was issued adding the Purple Heart to the applicant’s DD Form 214 for 7 August 1968.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism, for meritorious achievement and for meritorious service (sustained operations).  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

U.S Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 provided, in pertinent part, guidelines for award of the Air Medal.  It established that passenger personnel who did not participate in an air assault were not eligible for the award based upon sustained operations.  It defined terms and provided guidelines for the award based upon the number and types of missions or hours.  Twenty five Category I missions (air assault and equally dangerous missions) was the standard established for which sustained operations were deemed worthy of recognition by an award of the Air Medal.  However, the regulation was clear that these guidelines were considered only a departure point.  Nothing created an entitlement to the award.  

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that weapons qualification badges are awarded to indicate the qualification last attained with the respective weapon.  The applicant last obtained qualification with his rifle at the sharpshooter level.  

Army Regulation 600-8-22, provides in pertinent part, that an Aircraft Crewman Badge may be awarded by any commander of a unit with aircraft assigned to individuals in a flying status as crewmembers and to non-crewmembers who hold principal assignments as observers, medical aid person, gunners, maintenance supervisors or technical inspectors.  Army Regulation 611-201 (Enlisted Career Management and MOS’s) shows that the Special Qualification Indicator, [which is shown as a suffix to the MOS number] “F” indicates “Flying Status” and applies to individuals whose duties require frequent repetitive aerial flights. 

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  

2.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

3.  There is no evidence in the available records, nor did the applicant provide documentation to substantiate his claim that he was awarded the Air Medal or the Aircraft Crew Member Badge, there is no indication that he was entitled to or authorized the Air Medal or the Aircraft Crew Member Badge.

4.  The applicant’s records indicate that he qualified for the sharpshooter badge for the Rifle (M-14), there is no evidence that he qualified for the machine gun.

5.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___rgh___  ___bje___  ___jps__  DENY APPLICATION

						Karl F. Schneider
						Director, Army Review Boards Agency

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999029941	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000412	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 107.00		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.