PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           14 November 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002075768

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | | Director
| Ms. Nancy L. Amos | | Analyst

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

| Mr. Arthur A. Omartian | | Chairperson
| Mr. John P. Infante | | Member
| Ms. Regan K. Smith | | Member

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests that his Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, be amended to add the Air Medal.

3.  The applicant makes no additional statement.  He provides a copy of his     DD Form 214 and a citation showing he was awarded the Air Medal 1st through 6th oak leaf clusters as supporting evidence.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 14 October 1966.  He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty 26E (Airborne Sensor Specialist).

5.  The applicant was reassigned with his unit, the 245th Aviation Company, to Vietnam on or about 5 September 1967.  He was reassigned to the 131st Aviation Company on 4 January 1968.  

6.  General Orders 355, Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade dated 24 January 9168 awarded the applicant the basic Air Medal.  General Orders 7270, Headquarters, 1st Aviation Brigade dated 25 October 1968 awarded him the Air Medal 1st through 6th oak leaf clusters.

7.  The applicant departed Vietnam on 1 October 1968 after receiving participation credited for four campaigns.   He was honorably released from active duty on 5 October 1968 in pay grade E-5 after completing 1 year,            11 months, and 24 days of creditable active service with no lost time.  His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device 1960, the basic Air Medal, the Marksman Qualification Badge M-16, the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge M-14, the Marksman Qualification Badge .38 Pistol, and two overseas bars.  

8.  The applicant's Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20, shows that his conduct and efficiency were rated as excellent throughout his entire service.

9.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations.  It stated that 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 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.  At the time, a soldier’s conduct and efficiency ratings must have been rated as “excellent” for the entire period of qualifying service.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, the current regulation which provides policy and criteria concerning individual military decorations, provides that numerals, starting with 2, will be used to denote second and subsequent awards of the Air Medal.  The regulation also provides for the wear of one bronze service star on the appropriate service medal for each credited campaign.

11.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, shows that the 245th Aviation Company was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 22 February 1967 through 17 May 1968.  It also shows that the 131st Aviation Company was awarded the Valorous Unit Award for the period 1 June 1966 through 31 December 1968 and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 27 March 1967 through 17 May 1968.  

12.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 further states that not more than one Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation will be worn by any individual.  Although multiple awards of this unit citation badge may not be worn, official military personnel and historical records will indicate all awards received.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  It appears that the applicant's DD Form 214 already shows he was awarded the basic Air Medal; however, he was later awarded the first through sixth oak leaf clusters (i.e., second through seventh awards) of the Air Medal and his DD Form 214 should be amended to reflect this fact.

2.  The applicant met the eligibility criteria for award of the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period 14 October 1966 through 5 October 1968.

3.  The applicant met the eligibility criteria to wear four bronze service stars on the Vietnam Service Medal.  

4.  The applicant was assigned to the 245th Aviation Company during a period of time that unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.  He was also assigned to the 131st Aviation Company during a period of time that unit was awarded the Valorous Unit Award and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation.  Although he may wear only one Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, all these unit awards should be added to his DD Form 214.

5.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by:
     a.  awarding the applicant the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period       14 October 1966 through 5 October 1968; and

     b.  amending the applicant's DD Form 214 to add the Army Good Conduct Medal, seven awards of the Air Medal, the Valorous Unit Award, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and to show he is authorized to wear four bronze service stars on the Vietnam Service Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__AAO__  __JPI___  __REK __  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		  ___Arthur A. Omartian___
		           CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID | AR2002075768
SUFFIX |
RECON |
DATE BOARDED | 2002/11/14
TYPE OF DISCHARGE |
DATE OF DISCHARGE |
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY |
DISCHARGE REASON |
BOARD DECISION | GRANT
REVIEW AUTHORITY |
ISSUES         1. | 110.04
2. |
3. |
4. |
5. |
6. |