RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 24 April 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080002041 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. Director Analyst The following members, a quorum, were present: Chairperson Member Member The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests award of the Air Assault Badge. 2. The applicant states that he was awarded three Air Medals for air assaults; that he attended the Air Assault School and earned the distinction of "Fast Rope Master"; and that he achieved the "end state" of the Air Assault School. 3. The applicant provides copies of his Air Medal Certificate and Fast Rope Master Certificate of Training. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. At the time of his application, the applicant was a member of the West Virginia Army National Guard, serving as a master sergeant, pay grade E-8. 2. On 7 August 1968, the applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for 3 years. He completed his initial training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman). 3. The applicant served in the Republic of Vietnam from 16 February 1969 to 11 March 1971. Evidence of record regarding his unit of assignment or specific duties is not available for review. 4. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge (DD Form 214) effective 11 March 1971 lists the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar. It does not list the Air Assault Badge. 5. On 1 April 2005, the applicant was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was released from active duty on 21 March 2006, completing 11 months and 24 days of creditable active duty during this period of service. 6. On 4 April 2007, the applicant was ordered to active duty in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was released from active duty on 21 February 2008, completing 10 months and 18 days of creditable active duty during this period of service. 7. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s two Certificates of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) effective 21 March 2006 and 21 February 2008 lists the National Defense Service Medal (three awards), Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Air Medal (two awards), Presidential Unit Citation, Army Commendation Medal (six awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (five awards), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (four awards), Vietnam Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (six awards), Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" Device (two awards). Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 30 year Device, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal (two awards), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with "1960-" Device, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star, Combat Infantryman Badge (two awards), Special Forces Tab, Parachutist Badge, Dutch Parachutist Badge, British Army Parachutist wings, United Kingdom Parachutist Badge, and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar. The Air Assault Badge is not listed. 8. The Air Medal Certificate provided by the applicant shows that he was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight in support of ground combat forces during the period from 10 January to 27 November 1970 in the Republic of Vietnam. The certificate was issued on 27 September 1988 and makes no mention of the applicant completing any air assaults. 9. The 101st Airborne Division Air Assault School Certificate of Training dated 24 March 1998 provided by the applicant shows that he completed all practical exercises, tests, and "Fast Rope" requirements and earned the distinction of "Fast Rope Master." It does not show that he completed the Air Assault Course. 10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), in pertinent part, sets forth requirements for award of the Air Assault Badge. Award of the Air Assault Badge requires that an individual must have satisfactorily completed an air assault training course according to the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command standardized Air Assault Core Program of Instruction, or completed the standard Air Assault Course while assigned or attached to 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) after 1 April 1974. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. There is no available evidence showing that the applicant completed any air assaults in combat. Furthermore, his contention that doing so would qualify him for award of the Air Assault Badge is not substantiated by any evidence or governing regulation. 2. Award of the Air Assault Badge requires completion of the Air Assault Course. There is no available evidence showing that the applicant has met this requirement. 3. In view of the above, the applicant’s request should be denied. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x_____ ___x_____ ___x__ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. _________x_____________ CHAIRPERSON ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080002041 4 DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS 1901 SOUTH BELL STREET, 2ND FLOOR ARLINGTON, VA 22202-4508