PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           9 May 2002         
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002067825

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Joann Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. John N. Slone		Member	
	Mr. Terry L. Placek		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, in effect, award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge.

3.  The applicant states that when he was in Vietnam they promoted him from a clerk to a helicopter crew chief.  He contends that he flew over 100 hours and that the paperwork was submitted for his Aircraft Crew Member Badge; however, he never received the badge.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty).    

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 12 September 1969 for a period of 3 years.  He successfully completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 76A (supply clerk).  The applicant served as a communications electronics parts supply specialist in Vietnam from 14 February 1970 through 
22 December 1970.  He was separated from active duty on 24 August 1971.  

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Aircraft Crew Member Badge as an authorized award.  Item 16a (Primary Specialty Number and Title) on his DD Form 214 shows the entry, “67N20 UH-1 HEL REPAIRMAN.” 

6.  There are no orders for the Aircraft Crew Member Badge in the applicant’s service personnel records.  There are no flight hours in the applicant’s service personnel records.  

7.  The applicant’s record of assignments on his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows his principal duty was communications electronics parts supply specialist during his assignment in Vietnam.  

8.  Item 22 (Military Occupational Specialties) on the applicant’s DA Form 
20 shows he was awarded primary MOS 67N20 (UH-1 helicopter repairman) effective 1 July 1970.    

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 8, dated 1974.  This award is not shown on his discharge document.

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) also shows the applicant is entitled to award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation based on Department of the Army General Orders Number 55, dated 1971.  This award is not shown on his discharge document.

11.  The Army Regulation governing military awards at the time in question provided for temporary and permanent award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge.  The regulation authorized the commander of any unit with Army aircraft assigned to publish orders allowing qualified members of that command to wear the Aircraft Crew Member Badge.  To be eligible for temporary award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge an individual had to be on flying status as a crew chief in the case of crew chiefs, electronic sensor system operators, and flight engineers or as a non-crewmember in the case of observers, medical aidmen, gunners, aircraft maintenance supervisors, or technical inspectors.  The regulation also required individuals to be qualified based on a Class III physical examination, and to hold a principal duty assignment as a crew chief, flight engineer, aircraft maintenance supervisor, observer, gunner, or technical inspector.  These personnel are authorized to wear the badge temporarily until relieved from these duties or they may be authorized permanent wear of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge once they have fulfilled the regulatory requirements for permanent award of the badge.  For permanent award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge, an individual must have performed in one of the duties specified above for not less than 12 months (not necessarily consecutive) or must have been school trained for a principal duty specified above.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board considered the applicant’s contentions that when he was in Vietnam they promoted him from a clerk to a helicopter crew chief, that he flew over 100 hours and that the paperwork was submitted for his Aircraft Crew Member Badge.  However, there is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, to support these contentions.  

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant completed advanced individual training in MOS 76A (supply clerk).  

3.  Evidence of record also shows that the applicant was awarded primary MOS 67N20 effective 1 July 1970, approximately six months prior to his departure from Vietnam.  In accordance with the governing regulation, for permanent award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge, an individual must have performed in one of the duties specified above in paragraph 11 for not less than 12 months (not necessarily consecutive) or must have been school trained for a principal duty specified above in paragraph 11.  Therefore, the Board determined that there was insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge in this case.

4.  The applicant’s unit received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation while he was assigned to it.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show these unit citations. 

5.  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 this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

JL_____  JNS_____  TLP_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_Joann Langston________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002067825	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020509	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	 	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT PLUS)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0118	
2.	107.0000	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.