PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR1999016478

	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	
	Ms. Rosa M. Chandler		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O'Connor		Chairperson	
	Mr. Edward Williamson		Member	
	Mr. Sherri V. Ward		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 show award of the Air Medal.

3.  The applicant states in effect, that he served in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN), was awarded the Air Medal, but never received it.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted in the Army of the United States on 16 April 1969.  He completed basic and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).  He served in the RVN from 16 November 1969-18 June 1970.  On 27 May 1970, he received multiple fragment wounds to his back, both legs, and his left arm and was medically evacuated to Japan and then to the United States.  He was honorably discharged on 15 April 1971.

5.  The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), item 38 (Record of Current Service), shows that he was assigned to Company C, 2d Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade.  While assigned to this unit, he served as a rifleman and a machine gunner in MOS 11B from 23 January - 31 April 1970.  It also shows that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the RVN Service Medal, the RVN Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16).  His DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States), reflects these awards.

6.  On 21 July 1992, the Army Personnel Records Center, St. Louis, authorized the applicant award of the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge.

7.  The applicant's unit was awarded the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class by Headquarters, Department of the Army General Orders Number 5 in 1973.

8.  The applicant's Official Military Personnel File does not shows that he is authorized the Air Medal.

9.  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 Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class for the period 15 April 1969 to 16 March 1971 by Department of the Army General Order Number 5, dated 1971.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism or 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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the unit to which the applicant was assigned was awarded the RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  There is no evidence available, and the applicant has presented none, that shows he is entitled to award of the Air Medal.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant's records should be corrected, but only 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 RVN Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class.

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

BOARD VOTE:

RVO_____  EW_____  SVW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR199906478	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990818	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19710415	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 	
DISCHARGE REASON	Expiration of Term of Service	
BOARD DECISION	(PARTIAL GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	ASA	
ISSUES         1.	A92.03	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.