ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 6 September 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170010305 APPLICANT REQUESTS: in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) to reflect the Army Aviation Broken Wing Award and issuance of the award. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Army Aviation Broken Wing Award Certificate * Partial letter from a National Archives and Records Administration Technician 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 he was given the Aviation Broken Wing award and it was not listed in the awards case letter. He would like the award sent to him. 3. The applicant provides the Army Aviation Broke Wing Award Certificate, dated 25 September 1978, which states he distinguished himself by displaying extraordinary skill, judgment, and technique as an Army aviator by successfully landing through the application of the highest degree of aviator proficiency and discretion. He also provides a portion of a letter from an archives technician which states there was no record found that showed he was authorized the Broken Wing Award. 4. A review of the applicant’s service record shows: a. Having had prior enlisted service, he was appointed as a Reserve warrant officer and entered active duty on 21 September 1971. b. He served in Vietnam from 18 October 1970 to 13 September 1971. c. On 16 July 1979, he was honorably released from active duty. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or authorized: * Bronze Star Medal * Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal (2 Campaigns) * Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm * Senior Army Aviator Badge 5. A review of the applicant’s record confirms he is eligible for awards that are not recorded on his DD Form 214. These awards will be added to his DD Form 214 as administrative corrections and will not be considered by the Board. The Board will consider his request for the addition of the Army Aviation Broken Wing Award. 6. By regulation (AR 600-8-22), only federally recognized awards are authorized on the DD Form 214. The Army Human Resource Command Awards and Decorations Branch confirmed that the Army Aviation Broken Wing Award is not authorized by AR 600-8-22. 7. According to the U.S. Army Combined Readiness Center official website, the Army Aviation Broken Wing Award is a DA-level unit safety award. It is highly regarded and rarely awarded to aircrew members who operate aircraft under Army control. The award was established in March 1968; since then, hundreds of aircrew members have been awarded the Broken Wing Award for thier extraordinary actions. These aircrew members preserved lives and equipment saving the U.S. Army millions of dollars. It is awarded to individuals (U.S. Army military personnel and DA civilians) by the first O-6 in the chain of command. Individuals performing authorized aircrew member flight duties while on a DOD mission. An aircrew member must, through outstanding airmanship, minimize or prevent aircraft damage or injury to personnel during an emergency situation. The aircrew member must have shown extraordinary skill while recovering an aircraft from an in-flight emergency situation. If more than one crewmember materially contributed to successful recovery from the emergency, each of those involved should be considered for nomination. Emergencies resulting from enemy action may be included for consideration. In accordance with Department of the Army Pamphlet 385-10 (Army Safety Program), inquiries regarding this award may be submitted by emailing safetyawards@crc.army.mil or by calling (334) 255-0252. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found the requested relief was not warranted. The Board reviewed the available evidence and concluded that the Broken Wing Award is not authorized to be listed on the DD Form 214. As such, the Board found no evidence of error, inequity, or injustice in the absence of this award on his DD Form 214 for the period ending 16 July 1979. Regarding being issued the award elements for the Broken Wing Award, the Board advises the applicant to submit an inquiry by emailing safetyawards@crc.army.mil or by calling (334) 255-0252. The Board concurs with the staff's decision to add an additional award to his DD Form 214 as an administrative correction (noted below). BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING X: :X :X DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. 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. 2. Prior to closing the case, the Board noted the administrative note below from the analyst of record and recommended that change 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: A review of the applicant’s service records show he is authorized an additional award not annotated on his DD Form 214. Amend his DD Form 214 for the period ending 16 July 1979 by adding the Air Medal announced in Headquarters, 1st Signal Brigade, General Orders Number 551, dated 10 March 1971. 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. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military decorations. Commanders may recognize periods of faithful service, acts, or achievements which do not meet the standards required for decorations by issuing to individual U.S. military personnel a DA Form 2442 (Certificate of Achievement) or a Certificate of Achievement of local design. No distinguishing device is authorized for wear to indicate the receipt of a Certificate of Achievement. 3. Department of the Army Pamphlet 385-10 (Army Safety Program) provides the administrative procedures for Army safety awards, including the Broken Wing Award. The pamphlet states inquiries regarding the Broken Wing Award may be submitted by emailing safetyawards@crc.army.mil or by calling (334) 255-0252. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170010305 4 1