IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 February 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220003270 APPLICANT REQUESTS: in effect, correction of his military records to show the Airborne Bade and/or any other qualifying awards. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) 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) * Statement * Article about National Airborne Day * Article about the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S. 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 marked “Decorations/Awards” on his DD Form 149 and provided documents related to “Airborne.” His application is unclear as he did not specific what record correction he seeks and provide evidence of an error. As a result, this Record of Proceedings will address the Parachutist Badge and any other awards he might have qualified for. 3. The applicant states he has attached a copy of the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment four combat jumps. These 3,000 plus heroes are all dead and perhaps all that served under their combat and jump school training. He is 86 years, and he had the distinct pleasure of both. He has twelve stitches (he forgot to duck). He is proud of those stitches. To this day, he continues to wear his airborne cap and wings at least three times a day. He is a non-combat veteran who served in 1954- 1956. When able, he goes to the 82nd conventions. He is also a chapter member. He went to Fort Knox for training as a tank mechanic. He wants acknowledgement of the training he received from the greatest men who made four combat jumps; those who received Purple Hearts, Combat Infantryman Badges, and Silver Stars. He would like jump school to be acknowledged as a specialty number and title. Being a mechanic is not more challenging than being a paratrooper. He did both. If he had a choice, he would pick paratrooper. Earlier last year, he buried his son-in-law who was a paratrooper and served with the 1743rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam. He received He received the Purple Hart and Bronze Star. He would like to add that on 16 August 1940, 48 men jumped out of a plane giving birth to the name “Airborne.” President Bush names 16 August national Airborne Day. 4. Review of the applicant’s service records shows: a. He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 10 November 1954. He completed training at Fort Dix, NJ and he was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 111.00 (Infantryman) b. Around 4 February 1955, he was reassigned to Company A, 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC. c. Between 11 August 1955 and 19 October 1955, he was assigned to the 5th Company, Student Regiment, Fort Knox, KY where he completed training in MOS 632.10, Track Vehicle Mechanic. d. After completion of mechanic training, he was assigned back to the Service Company of the 505th Parachute Company, at Fort Bragg. e. He was honorably released from active duty on 9 November 1956, and he was assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group to complete his remaining service obligations. f. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 2 years of active service. Block 26 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) shows the entry NA, reflective of no awards or decorations. 5. There is no indication in the applicant’s service records that confirms he completed the Basic Airborne Course or that he was awarded the Parachutist Badge. 6. The applicant’s DA Form 24 (Service Record) shows in: a. Section 9 (Medals, Decorations and Citations) reflects the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar by authority of Special Orders Number 74, issued by Headquarters, 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment, b. Section 4 (Chronological Record of Military Service) shows he received “excellent” conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his service, with the exception of a “Good” efficiency rating from 24 October 1955 to 9 November 1956 while assigned to the Service Company of the 505th Parachute Company, at Fort Bragg. 7. There are no derogatory information on file that would have disqualified him from receiving the first award of the Army Good Conduct Medal. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was partially warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. a. The evidence shows the applicant served on active duty from 10 November 1964 to 9 November 1956, when he was honorably released from active duty. He completed 2 years of net service this period. Section 4 of his DA Form 24 shows he received “excellent” conduct and efficiency ratings throughout his service, with the exception of a “Good” efficiency rating from 24 October 1955 to 9 November 1956 while assigned to the Service Company, 505th Parachute Company, at Fort Bragg. He was fully qualified for reenlistment. The Board determined he met the criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award). b. The applicant was also awarded the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar by authority of Special Orders Number 74, issued by Headquarters, 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment. This award Is not listed on his DD Form 214. c. There is no indication in the applicant’s service records that confirms he completed the Basic Airborne Course or that he was awarded the Parachutist Badge. ? BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF :X :X :X GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: * awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for service during the period 10 November 1964 to 9 November 1956 * adding award of the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar and Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) to his DD Form 214 2. The Board further determined that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to the Parachutist Badge. 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. ? 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 ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Awards), in effect at the time, stated the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service completed on or after 27 August 1940; for first award only, 1 year served entirely during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946; and, for the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than 3 years but more than 1 year. The enlisted person must have had all “excellent” conduct and efficiency ratings. Ratings of “Unknown” for portions of the period under consideration were not disqualifying. Service school efficiency ratings based upon academic proficiency of at least “Good” rendered subsequent to 22 November 1955 were not disqualifying. There must have been no convictions by a court-martial. However, there was no right or entitlement to the medal until the immediate commander made a positive recommendation for its award and until the awarding authority announced the award in general orders. 3. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states to be eligible for award of the Basic Parachutist Badge, an individual must have satisfactorily completed the pre- scribed proficiency tests while assigned or attached to an airborne unit or the Airborne Department of the Infantry School, or have participated in at least one combat parachute jump as follows: (1) A member of an organized force carrying out an assigned tactical mission for which the unit was credited with an airborne assault landing by the theater commander. (2) While engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force. (3) While serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220003270 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1