PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:          

	BOARD DATE:                23 October 2001              
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR2001060375

	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. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Shirley Powell		Chairperson	
	Mr. Allen L. Raub		Member	
	Mr. Thomas E. O’Shaughnessy		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 an unspecified number of Air Medals.

3.  The applicant states that he served as door gunner crew chief, but he did not receive any Air Medals.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 7 December 1965, completed training as a helicopter repairman, and served in Vietnam from 19 February 1967 through 23 November 1967.  The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 24 November 1967.  His DD Form 214 does not show any awards of the Air Medal.

5.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records which show he was awarded the basic Air Medal.  There is no evidence that he was recommended for award of the Air Medal or that he met the qualifications for award of the Air Medal.  

6.  The Board noted that the applicant is eligible for award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars which are not shown on his DD Form 214. 

7.  Records show the applicant completed training in military occupational specialty (MOS) 67 series and performed aviation related duties.  His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he served as a senior helicopter repairman for nine months and as a crew chief in MOS 67N for one month during his assignment in Vietnam.

8.  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 applicant’s unit, 173d Support Battalion, 173d Airborne Brigade, was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 5 May 1965 to 4 May 1967 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 48, dated 1968.  While the applicant was still assigned to the 173d Support Battalion, it was cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation by amended Department of the Army General Orders Number 42, dated 1969.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 51, dated 1971.
10.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  His DA Form 20 shows he received credit for participation in the Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase II in item 39 (Campaigns).  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Table B-1, shows he was also entitled to credit for participation in the Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase III campaign during his tour in Vietnam. 

11.  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.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Aircraft Crew Member Badge may be permanently awarded for successful completion of formal AIT in career management field 67 MOS’s.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board considered the applicant’s contention that he served as door gunner crew chief which should have entitled him to awards of the Air Medal.  However, there is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was recommended for, awarded, or otherwise qualified for award of the Air Medal.  Therefore, there is no basis for granting him award of the Air Medal.  

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant completed training in MOS 67N; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge and correction of his records to show this badge.

3.  While the applicant was assigned to the 173d Support Battalion in Vietnam, the unit was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Presidential Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.

4.  Evidence of record shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 shows the Vietnam Service Medal as an authorized award.  However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in two campaigns during his assignment in Vietnam which are not correctly shown by award of two bronze service stars for wear on his Vietnam Service Medal.  Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, the applicant is entitled to the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars and correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.   

6.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.  

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to the individual concerned be corrected:

a.  by deleting the Vietnam Service Medal from item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214; and 

b.  by showing he was awarded the Aircraft Crew Member Badge, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

SP_____  ALR_____  TEO_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Shirley Powell_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001060375	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20011023	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT IN PART	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0018	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.