IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 10 November 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150003251 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) and Air Assault Badge. 2. The applicant states he recently attended an annual Vietnam reunion for the 7th Squadron, 17th Cavalry, and he was told his unit was eligible for award of the PUC and the unit members were eligible for award of the Air Assault Badge. 3. The applicant provides: * letter from the Army Review Boards Agency, dated 22 May 2013 * two DD Forms 215 (Correction to DD Form 214), dated 24 November 2009 and 1 June 2013 * Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) Record of Proceedings, dated 23 April 2013 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 15 August 1967. He served as helicopter mechanic assigned to Troop A, 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Regiment, in Vietnam. On 23 June 1969, he was honorably released from active duty. 3. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * two overseas service bars 4. There are no orders for the Air Assault Badge in the applicant's records. There is also no evidence showing he completed an air assault training course. 5. His DD Form 215, dated 24 November 2009, amended his DD Form 214 by adding award of the Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and Aircraft Crewman Badge. 6. His DD Form 215, dated 1 June 2013, amended his DD Form 214 by: * deleting award of the VSM * adding award of the Air Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and VSM with four bronze service stars 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. a. The PUC (known as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966) is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action. A unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. b. Award of the Air Assault Badge requires satisfactory completion of an air assault training course according to the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command standardized Air Assault Core Program of Instruction or completion of the standard Air Assault Course while assigned or attached to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) after 1 April 1974. 8. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This pamphlet does not show the 7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Regiment, was awarded the PUC. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 does not show the applicant's Vietnam unit of assignment (7th Squadron, 17th Air Cavalry Regiment) was awarded the PUC while he was assigned to it. 2. His request for award of the Air Assault Badge was noted. However, there are no orders for the Air Assault Badge in the available records and there is no evidence which shows he completed an air assault training course. 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 the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. _____________X____________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150003251 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150003251 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1