ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 28 March 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170004668 APPLICANT REQUESTS: the following awards be added to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer of Discharge): * Air Medal * Presidential Unit Citation * Bronze Arrowhead * Overseas Service Bar * Combat Service Commemorative Medal * bronze service stars for his Vietnam Service Medal APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) * Self-Authored Statement * Letters of Support * Air Medal Citation FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code (USC), section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant states: a. he was not awarded the Air Medal in Vietnam. b. he did not realize he could file an application to update his record. c. he should have been awarded the Air Medal for completion of at least 25 air assaults during 30 November 1965 through 23 April 1966 while assigned to Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry. He was reassigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) as a medical clerk to assist the wounded at the Battalion Aide Station until his expiration of term of service. d. he completed training as a replacement medic and arrived in Vietnam on 29 November 1965. He was transferred to the 1st Cavalry Division due to high loss of lives in the battle at LZ [landing zone] Albany. His records were not properly processed probably due to the large influx of replacements. When he departed Vietnam, he was temporarily assigned to Travis Air Force Base because he did not have orders for stateside duty. e. he would appreciate any other unit awards authorized after his discharge be included in his record; such as the Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Arrowhead for air assaults, Overseas Service [Bar], Combat Service Commemorative Medal, and two battle stars on Vietnam Service Medal for participation in two campaigns. 3. Most commemorative medals are not officially recognized. Title 32, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 578 lists and discusses all official U.S. military decorations, medals, ribbons, and similar devices; commemorative medals are not listed as official. Some commemorative medals are authorized by the U.S. Congress and are minted by the U.S. Mint. However, Army Regulation 670-1 (Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia) prohibits the wearing of commemorative medals. In addition, award of these medals is not governed by the provisions of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) and, as a result, they may not be shown on a discharge document. Therefore, the applicant's request for the Combat Service Commemorative Medal is not authorized to be considered by the Board and will not be discussed further in this Record of Proceedings. 4. The applicant's request for award of the Presidential Unit Citation, Overseas Service Bar, and bronze service stars for his Vietnam Service Medal are supported by sufficient evidence; therefore, they will be administratively corrected and not considered by the Board. The Board will consider his request for correction of his DD Form 214 to show the: * Air Medal * Bronze Arrowhead 5. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 17 June 1965. He completed initial entry training and was awarded military occupational specialty 91B (Medical Specialist). 6. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows the following: * item 31 (Foreign Service) – he served in Vietnam from 27 November 1965 to 26 November 1966 * item 41 (Awards and Decorations) – no entries showing the Air Medal or Bronze Arrowhead 7. His service record does not contain orders awarding him the Air Medal or flight records to show he participated in 25 air assaults and 25 hours of flight time. In addition, his record does not indicate his unit in Vietnam received combat assault credit for participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission. 8. On 16 June 1967, he was released from active duty. His DD Form 214 does not show the Air Medal or Bronze Arrowhead. 9. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System (ADCARS), an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command Military Awards Branch, failed to reveal any orders awarding the applicant the Air Medal. 10. The applicant provided a letter of support, dated 16 November 2016 from a former fellow Soldier who stated the applicant: * participated in support of counterinsurgency operations conducted in Vietnam from 29 November 1965 to 25 November 1966 * served as a Second Platoon Medic with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry and participated in numerous combat air assaults including operations on LZ-4 * received the Bronze Star Medal for his actions during an engagement with the enemy * was detailed to the Battalion Aid Station of 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) where he relocated medical supplies and assisted wounded troops to the Battalion Aid Station * spent many hours in helicopters in support of counterinsurgency operations conducted by his unit * was dedicated to service and displayed the highest professionalism while engaged in aerial missions over hostile territory in support of U.S. Army troops * was determined to accomplish his mission in spite of the hazards of repeated flights over hostile territory 11. The applicant provided a letter of support, dated 29 November 2016, from a former fellow Soldier who stated: * he met the applicant when he arrived in Vietnam who was medic attached to Company A, 2nd Platoon and had seen action under fire long before he got to Vietnam * the applicant was a medic attached to Company A, 3rd Platoon, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Division (Airmobile) * he worked closely with the applicant and considered him a role model for all medics * the applicant received an award of the Bronze Star Medal for heroism on 28 January 1966 * they participated in more than 50 aerial missions over hostile territory in support of counterinsurgency operations while attached to Company A * he confirmed that the applicant was involved in aerial missions and was entitled to receive the Air Medal 12. The applicant provided a letter of support, dated 1 December 2016, from a former fellow Soldier who stated: * he was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry (Airmobile) as Company Regimental Tactical Officer * Companies A and C worked together during field operations and air assault missions * he and the applicant participated in several operations that lasted approximately 15 to 18 days that averaged about 7 air assaults into LZs per operation * Companies A and C were trapped during an air assault in LZ-4 for 30 hours from 28 to 30 January 1966 and the applicant received the Bronze Star Medal for heroism during this period * his 1SG advised him that he had accumulated over 32 flights/assaults and would receive an Air Medal * the applicant earned and deserves the Air Medal because they both made the same flights/assaults with Companies A and C 13. U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided guidelines for award of the Air Medal. It stated passenger personnel who did not participate in an air assault were not eligible for the award based upon sustained operations. It defined terms and provided guidelines for the award based upon the number and types of missions or hours. Twenty-five Category I missions (air assault and equally dangerous missions) and accrual of a minimum of 25 hours of flight time while engaged in Category I missions was the standard established for which sustained operations were deemed worthy of recognition by an award of the Air Medal. However, the regulation was clear that these guidelines were considered only a departure point. 14. Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the “arrowhead” will be worn on the appropriate service medal to denote participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission. Individual assault credit is tied directly to the combat assault credit decision for the unit to which the Soldier is assigned. The unit must be credited with a combat assault in order for the Soldier to receive credit for a combat assault and the Soldier must physically exit the aircraft or the watercraft as appropriate. The arrowhead is authorized for wear on several awards, including the Vietnam Service Medal. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief was warranted. Based upon the statements provided by fellow Soldiers, documents found within the military service record of the applicant, as well as the administrative notes reflected below, the Board recommend full relief. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 X X X GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 by awarding * Air Medal * Presidential Unit Citation * Bronze Arrowhead * Overseas Service Bar * Combat Service Commemorative Medal * bronze service stars for his Vietnam Service Medal However, prior to closing the case, the Board noted the administrative notes reflected below by the analyst of record, and they recommended those changes be completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): A review of the applicant's records shows he is authorized additional awards not listed on his DD Form 214. As a result, amend the DD Form 214 by adding the: * Presidential Unit Citation - 7th Cavalry, 2nd Battalion from 25 August 1966 to 4 April 1967 by DAGO 2, 1973 * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation - 7th Cavalry, 2nd Battalion, Company A from 17 November 1965 to 19 May 1969 by DAGO Number 70,1969 * Overseas Service Bar (2) * Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars ? REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided guidelines for award of the Air Medal. It stated passenger personnel who did not participate in an air assault were not eligible for the award based upon sustained operations. It defined terms and provided guidelines for the award based upon the number and types of missions or hours. Twenty-five Category I missions (air assault and equally dangerous missions) and accrual of a minimum of 25 hours of flight time while engaged in Category I missions was the standard established for which sustained operations were deemed worthy of recognition by an award of the Air Medal. However, the regulation was clear that these guidelines were considered only a departure point. 3. Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the “arrowhead” will be worn on the appropriate service medal to denote participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing while assigned or attached as a member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission. Individual assault credit is tied directly to the combat assault credit decision for the unit to which the Soldier is assigned. The unit must be credited with a combat assault in order for the Soldier to receive credit for a combat assault and the Soldier must physically exit the aircraft or the watercraft as appropriate. The arrowhead is authorized for wear on several awards, including the Vietnam Service Medal. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170004668 5 1