PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           29 December 1999           
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999031334

	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. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Mr. Richard H. Allen		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. George D. Paxson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		Member	
	Mr. Christopher J. Prosser		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

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, addition of 13 awards (sic) of the Air Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL) to his DD Form 2l4 (Armed Forces of the United States-Report of Transfer or Discharge).

3.  The applicant states that these awards and decorations are not on his DD Form 2l4.  He submits a copy of this report;  a copy of General Orders 2127, 1st Infantry Division, dated 27 March 1969, awarding the applicant the first through 6th Oak Leaf Clusters to the Air Medal for the period of service between 
22 July and 22 October 1968;  a copy of a 1st Infantry Division Citation showing award of the first through the 13th Oak Leaf Clusters of the Air Medal for the period 22 July l968 through 16 March 1969;  and a copy of General Order 133, Headquarters V Corps Support Command , 2 July l970 awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 3 October 1967 through the date of his separation from active duty. 

4.  The applicant’s military records are not available to the Board, but sufficient evidence is available to show that he enlisted in the Regular Army 3 October 1967, presumably for 3 years.  He was trained in military occupational specialty (MOS) 67N (Helicopter Repairman).  He was assigned to duties in the Republic of Vietnam on 27 April l968, and was assigned to Troop D (Air), 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry (Regiment), 1st Infantry Division.  He was advanced to the rank of specialist five (SP5) on 13 February 1969.  

5.  Based upon the 1st Infantry Division Citation and General Orders 2127, the applicant served in sustained aerial flights in excess of 25 aerial missions against hostile forces in the RVN between July l968 and March 1969 and earned 
14 awards of the Air Medal (basic award and 13 Oak Leaf Clusters).

6.  Apparently, upon completion of tour of duty in the RVN on or about 27 April l969, he was reassigned to duties in the US Army Europe (USAREUR).  

7.  On 6 July l970, the applicant was honorably released from active duty and was transferred to the US Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Reinforcement) to complete his service obligation.  The reason cited for the separation was Seasonal Employment, under the provisions of Army Regulation 635-200.  He was credited with 2 years, 9 months and 1 day active service and had served for 1 year, 5 months and 4 days overseas.  He had no recorded lost time.  

8.  In item 24 (Decorations, Medals Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), on his DD Form 2l4, he was credited with award of the Silver Star Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the RVN Campaign Medal and two overseas bars.  However, no awards of the Air Medal or the Army Good Conduct Medal are shown on his separation document.  
9.  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 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.  U.S Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) 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.  However, it did permit award of the medal to mechanics on flight status, but not a crewmember.  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) and accrual of a minimum of 25 hours of flight time while engaged in Category I 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.  

11.  At the time in 1968 and 1969, oak leaf clusters were used to denote second and subsequent wards of the Air Medal.  However, at this time Arabic numerals are used instead of oak leaf clusters for the second and succeeding awards.  The numeral 2 denotes the second award.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  

14.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam.  This document shows the unit, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation for the period 12 July l965-16 October l969 by Department of the Army General Order Number 21, dated 1969.

15.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in Vietnam.  This document shows the unit, to which the applicant was assigned, was cited for award of the RVN Civil Actions Honors Medal Unit Citation (now referred to as the RVN Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation) for the period October 1965-7 April l970 by Department of the Army General Order Number 53, dated 1970.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Despite the absence of military orders authorizing each award, the Board concludes from the evidence submitted by the applicant that he earned 
14 awards (basic medal plus 13 Oak Leaf Clusters) of the Air Medal during the period 22 July 1968 through 27 April l969 while participating in aerial combat operations against a hostile force in the RVN.   

2.  Further, that the applicant has submitted documentary evidence, in the form of a general order from the 5th Corps Support Command, which awarded him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the entire period of his first enlistment from October 1967 through July 1970.  

3.  A review of Department of the Army publications concerning unit awards shows that during the time the applicant was assigned to the RVN, the unit to which he was assigned earned credit for award of the RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the RVN Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation.  These awards should also be added to his DD Form 2l4.  

4.  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 issuing to the individual concerned a DD Form 2l5 (Correction to DD Form 2l4) which adds the following awards and decorations to item 24 on his DD Form 2l4 issued to him on 6 July l970:

a.  the Air Medal with numeral 14; 

b.  the Army Good Conduct Medal;

c.  the RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation; and 

d.  the RVN Civil Actions Medal Unit Citation.   

BOARD VOTE:  

___CJP_  __GDP___  __CLG__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999031334	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19991229	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	DASA	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.	107.0018	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.