PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            31 May 2000       
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999033861

	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. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James E. Vick		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelly		Member	
	Mr. John P. Infante		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 records to reflect award of an Army Commendation Medal, the Aircraft Crewman’s Badge, and that his Vietnam Combat Certificate be added to his DD Form 214.  He provides copies of the combat and Army Commendation Medal certificates and a copy of orders confirming award of his Aircraft Crewman's Badge.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 31 August 1971 and successfully completed basic and advanced individual training prior to being assigned to Vietnam in February 1972.  The applicant received a "Vietnam Combat Certificate" in the summer of 1972 which indicated the applicant had "faithfully served his country with the Medical Company, 215th Combat Support Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division" in Vietnam between February and June 1972.  His records indicate he received the certificate upon his reassignment to the 9th US Cavalry.

4.  In September 1972 the applicant was awarded the Aircraft Crewman's Badge (now known as the Aircraft Crew Member Badge) which was confirmed in orders published by the 12th Combat Aviation Group.

5.  He returned to the United States in February 1973 having been awarded an Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service during his tour of duty in Vietnam.  The Commanding General of the 1st Aviation Brigade approved the award.

6.  On 8 June 1973 the applicant was honorably discharged from active duty in pay grade E-4.  Neither his Army Commendation Medal nor his Aircraft Crewman's Badge are reflected on his DD From 214.

7.  Army Regulation 635-5, in effect at the time, provided that item 24 of the DD Form 214 will reflect decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded or authorized for all periods of service.  Certificates of Achievement, Letters of Appreciation, and similar documents were not then, nor are they now, recorded on the DD Form 214.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was awarded the Aircraft Crewman's Badge (now known as the Aircraft Crew Member Badge) and there is sufficient evidence to also conclude the applicant was awarded an Army Commendation Medal based on his meritorious service while in Vietnam.  Neither decoration, however, is recorded on the applicant's separation report.

2.  While the evidence also confirms that the applicant received a certificate for his service with the 215th Combat Support Battalion such certificates are not reflected on separation documents.
3.  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 be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Aircraft Crewman’s Badge (now known as the Aircraft Crew Member Badge) and an Army Commendation Medal. 

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

BOARD VOTE:  

___jev__  ___sk___  ___jpi__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999033861	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000531	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	Grant	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.