ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 1 October 2019 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20170011036 APPLICANT REQUESTS: in effect, award of the Aircraft Crewman Badge (now called Aviation Badge). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Aircrew Badge Excerpt * Certificate of Training (Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)) * DD Form 256A (Discharge Certificate), dated 25 March 1977 * DD Form 214, dated 26 August 1970 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) * DD Form 214, dated 25 March 1977 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) 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 would like to request a correction to his record in that he went to Aircraft Electrician Course MOS 68F20 at the Transportations School, Fort Eustis, VA on 13 March 1969. He requests an MOS Badge 3. The applicant provides: a. An excerpt of the U.S. Army Aircrew Badge which shows the history of the badges (Aircrew Badge, World War II Army Air Force and the Army Master Aviation Badge). It states the badge itself was not altered; however, the change was made retroactive to 1947, requiring updates to military records upon request from the military service member. On 29 February 2000, the Department of the Army officially changed the name of the Aircraft Crewman Badge to the Army Aviation Badge. This change essentially made Army aircrew wings an "MOS Badge" awarded to all aviation MOS's, including non-flying jobs such as Aviation Operations and Air Traffic Controllers. Thus, a crew chief who actually engaged in aerial flight has no distinction from an air traffic controller because both are on flight status (see detailed excerpt information in packet). b. A certificate diploma, issued on 13 March 1969, by the U.S. Army Transportation School which reflects he completed the MOS 68F (Aircraft Electrician Course). c. His DD Form 256A, which shows he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on 25 March 1977. d. His DD Form 214s for the period ending 26 August 1970 shows on item 23a (Specialty Number and Title) 68F20, Aircraft Electrician however, it does not show the Aircraft Crewman Badge and his service records do not contain any orders awarding him the Aircraft Crewman Badge. 4. A review of the applicant’s service records shows: a. He was enlisted in the Regular Army on 16 August 1968. He completed training and was awarded MOS 68F (Aircraft Electrician) effective 13 March 1969. b. He served in Vietnam from 11 April 1969 to 10 April 1970. He was assigned to the 187th Aviation Company (Assault Helicopter). c. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he was promoted to specialist/E-5 on 15 December 1969 issued by Headquarters, 269th Aviation Battalion (Combat) Special Orders (SO) Number 30. d. His DA Form 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) shows in section VII (Current and Previous Assignments): * on 13 September 1975 he was hospitalized at Dwight D. Eisenhower Hospital in Fort Gordon, GA * on 4 November 1975, he was enroute to Fort Benning, GA and was assigned to 478th Aviation Company * on 26 November 1975, his records are void of orders of the Aircraft Crewman badge or MOS badge e. On 26 August 1970, he was honorably discharged. His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows he completed 2 year and 11 days of active service. It also shows in: * item 22c (Foreign Service) Vietnam 1 year of service * item 23a (Specialty Number & Title) 68 (Aircraft Electrician) * item 24 (Decorations Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Vietnam Campaign Medal g. He reenlisted on w7 August 1970. He was honorably discharge don 25 March 1977. He was transferred to a troop program unit of the U.S. Army Reserve (348th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance)). h. His DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) for this period of service show she completed 8 years, 7 months and 10 days of active service; 2 years, and 11 days of prior active service and 1 year, 11 days of foreign service in Alaska. Item 16a (Primary Specialty Number and Title) 68F and he was awarded or authorized: * National Defense Service Medal * 3 service stripes * 2 overseas service bars * Vietnam Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars * Vietnam Campaign Medal with “1960” M device * Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd award) 5. 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 Military Awards Branch of the United States Army Human Resources Command failed to reveal any award of the Aircraft Crewman Badge. 6. By regulation there are three degrees of badges for the Aircraft Crewman Badges that are authorized, Master Aircraft Crewman Badge Senior Aircraft Crewman Badge, Aircraft Crewman Badge: * the retroactive date for these badges is 1 January 1947 * permanent award for these badges will be made by commanders exercising jurisdiction over the individuals' personnel records * an individual should have performed in one of the duties specified for not less than 12 months (not necessarily consecutive) * be school trained for a principal duty in one of the aviation MOS’s 7. 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 shows the 187th Aviation Company, was cited for award of the: * Presidential Unit Citation for the period 24-26 April 1969, Department of the Army General Order (DAGO) Number 21, 1978 amended DAGO Number 14, 1973. * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for the period 1 May 1969 to 15 May 1970 by DAGO Number 55, dated 1971. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief was not warranted. Based upon the documentary evidence provided by the applicant and found within the military service record, the Board determined there was insufficient evidence to show he qualified for this award. There is no recommendation, there are no orders, and there is no indication he met the criteria. For that reason, the Board found insufficient evidence of an error or injustice which would warrant making a change to the applicant’s military record. 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 did note the administrative notes below from the analyst of record and 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 service records show he is authorized additional awards not annotated on his DD Form 214. As a result amend his DD Form 214 by adding: * Presidential Unit Citation, 24-26 April 1969, Department of the Army General Order (DAGO) 21, 1978, amended DAGO 14, 1973 * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class(FC) -1 May 1969 – 15 May 1970, DAGO 55, 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 (AR) 600-8-22 states there are three degrees of badges for the Aircraft Crewman Badge. The retroactive dates for these badges is 1 January 1947. The individuals must have completed formal training. They must have held a military occupational specialty MOS in aviation MOS 68 Series from 31 December 1985 through 30 September 2003. Must have held flying status or granted a waiver by Headquarters, Human Resources Command and have performed aerial observer, crewmember, nonrated or noncrewmember flying duties for not less than 12 months or not less than 48 flight hours. * Master Aircraft Crewman Badge * Senior Aircraft Crewman Badge * Aircraft Crewman Badge 3. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, provided for temporary and permanent award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge. a. Commanders of any unit with Army aircraft assigned could publish orders allowing qualified members of that command to wear the Aircraft Crew Member Badge. b. To be eligible for temporary award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge an individual had to be on flying status 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. c. Individuals were also required 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. d. These personnel were authorized to wear the badge temporarily until relieved from those duties or they could be authorized permanent wear of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge once they fulfilled the regulatory requirements for permanent award of the badge. e. 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). f. Must have been school trained for a principal duty specified above. Personnel who were precluded by incapacitation from further flight duty due to wounds sustained as a result of hostile action or injuries resulting from an aircraft accident for which they were not personally responsible were entitled to permanent wear of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge. g. Further, an individual who participated in at least 15 combat missions under probable exposure to enemy fire while serving in the principal duty of crew chief, flight engineer, aircraft maintenance supervisor, observer, gunner, or technical inspector was entitled to permanent award of the Aircraft Crew Member Badge. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20170011036 5 1