IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 October 2021 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210005051 APPLICANT REQUESTS: his Air Medal to be added to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the Unites States Report of Transfer or Discharge). APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Air Medal Certificate * DD Form 214 * DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) extract * Special Orders Number 30 * Vietnam map FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three-year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) 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 awarded the Air Medal for his service in Vietnam. 3. The applicant's records contain sufficient evidence to support additional awards not shown on his DD Form 214. His DD Form 214 will be administratively corrected without Board action to show: * 3 bronze service stars to already awarded Vietnam Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal with (1960) Device * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * Meritorious Unit Commendation * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation 4. The applicant provided: * Air Medal Certificate, dated 9 September 1965 for heroism while participating in aerial flight in Vietnam from 11 April to 29 April 1965 * DD Form 214 showing he was transferred to U.S. Army Reserves (USAR) on 26 September 1968 * DA Form 20 extract showing some of his qualifications * Special Orders Number 30 showing he was reassigned to Vietnam on 9 March 1968 * Vietnam map showing different unit and locations in Vietnam 4. A review of the applicant’s service records shows: a. He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 3 October 1966. He held military occupational specialty 91B (Medical Specialist). b. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in item 41 (Awards and Decorations) Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) and Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14). c. He served in Vietnam from on or about 11 March 1968 until on or about 25 September 1968, completing 6 months and 16 days of foreign service in Vietnam, during three campaigns. He was assigned to the 520th Medical Detachment. d. He was honorably released from active duty and transferred to USAR on 26 September 1968. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 1 years, 11 months, and 24 days of active service, of which 6 months and 16 days was foreign service. It also shows he was awarded or authorized: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal e. His records do not contain general orders awarding the Air Medal. f. He provides an Air Medal Certificate showing he was awarded the Air Medal on 9 September 1965 for heroism while participating in aerial flight in Vietnam from 11 April to 29 April 1965. g. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System maintained by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, which is an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973, failed to reveal any orders for the Air Medal pertaining to the applicant. 5. By regulation, Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Air Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service while participating in aerial flight. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The Board determined the Air Medal Certificate provided is insufficient evidence to grant relief as published orders are required. 2. Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the analyst of record administrative notes below, and recommended the correction is completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. 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: Except for the correction addressed in Administrative Note(s) below, the Board found 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. 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 shows her DD Form 214 contains administrative errors. As a result, amend his DD Form 214 ending on 28 January 1971 to add to Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized): * 3 bronze service stars to already awarded Vietnam Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal with (1960) Device * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * Meritorious Unit Commendation * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation REFERENCES: 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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Air Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service while participating in aerial flight. This award is primarily intended for personnel on flying status but may also be awarded to those personnel whose combat duties require them to fly; for example, personnel in the attack elements of units involved in air-land assaults against an armed enemy. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. a. A bronze service star is worn on the appropriate service ribbon, to include the Vietnam Service Medal, for each credited campaign. A silver service star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars. b. The Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) was awarded by the Government of Vietnam to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam during the period 1 March 1961 through 28 March 1973. Qualifying service included assignment in Vietnam for 6 months or more. Qualifying service outside the geographical limits of the Republic of Vietnam required the individual to provide direct combat support to the Republic of Vietnam and Armed Forces. c. Award of basic marksmanship qualification badges. The qualification badge is awarded to indicate the degree – Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman -- in which an individual has qualified in a prescribed record course. An appropriate bar is furnished to denote each weapon with which the individual has qualified. 3. Department of the Army General Orders 48, 4 August 1969 awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation to 520th Medical Detachment for service in Vietnam from 9 August 1967 thru 27 July 1968. 4. Department of the Army General Orders 21, 8 April 1969 awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation to 520th Medical Detachment for service in Vietnam from 22 February 1967 thru 17 May 1968. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210005051 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1