| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. W. W. Osborn, Jr. | Analyst |
| Mr. George D. Paxson | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Thomas A. Pagan | Member | |
| Mr. Melvin H. Meyer | Member |
2. The applicant requests reconsideration of his earlier appeal to award him the Air Medal.
3. The applicant states that, because he left Vietnam early on emergency leave, he was overlooked for award of the Air Medal. He provides statements from his company executive officer and platoon leader to substantiate his case.
4. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in a decisional document prepared to reflect the Board's previous consideration of the case (AR1999017432) on 22 July 1999.
5. The executive officer, a retired captain, writes, in effect, that the applicant flew with F Troop’s infantry platoon at least 3 times a week, that he earned the Air Medal and that it should be awarded now.
6. The platoon leader, a retired lieutenant colonel, writes that the applicant was ”my medic in the Aero Rifle Platoon from May 15, 1969 until 15 October 1969.…During this period he flew more than 6 combat missions per month including combat assaults, snatch and recovery, and similar combat related missions – which more than qualifies him to receive the Air Medal.”
7. As noted in the previous decisional document, the applicant had submitted a copy of Americal Division’s General Orders Number 10765 of 17 October 1969 that awarded the Air Medial to other members of the unit for meritorious achievement between early May and late September 1969.
8. Conclusion number 4 of the Boards previous decision states, “The applicant has provided no evidence to substantiate his eligibility for award of the Air Medal. The orders submitted showing the names of others does not substantiate his eligibility for the Air Medal. He should obtain witness statements from his commander and platoon leader and resubmit his request for consideration of award of the Air Medal.”
9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Air Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism, for meritorious achievement and for meritorious service (sustained operations). As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
10. U.S Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 provided, in pertinent part, guidelines for award of the Air Medal. Passenger personnel who did not participate in an air assault were not eligible for the award based upon sustained operations. It defined terms and provided guidelines for the award based upon the number and types of missions or hours. Twenty-five Category I missions (air assault and equally dangerous missions) was the standard established for which sustained operations were deemed worthy of recognition by an award of the Air Medal.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. There apparently are no orders awarding the applicant the Air Medal and his previous officers do not report that they ever recommended him for the award. However, in light of all the circumstances of the case, especially the credible statements and recommendations from the applicant’s former officers, as an exception to policy, it is appropriate to award him that decoration at this time.
2. In view of the foregoing, correcting the applicant’s record as recommended below would rectify an injustice.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement between 15 May and 15 October 1969.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
__GDP__ ___TAP__ __MHM_ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
__ George D. Paxson___
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2001058410 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020221 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090001631
There are no orders for the Bronze Star Medal or the Air Medal in the applicants service personnel records. There is no evidence of record which shows the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal or the Air Medal. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Bronze Star Medal or the Air Medal in this case.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001055088C070420
However, since there is no record of how many missions the applicant flew on those days, the Board must default to one mission per day. Using the number of days the applicant flew (256) divided by the standard of 25 combat missions, the Board concludes that the applicant should be awarded 10 Air Medals. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the applicant was awarded the Air Medal for Valor with Numeral 10, to denote the award of a...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130013467
The applicant requests the Air Medal and a second award of the Overseas Service Bar be added to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). He also states precedent was established in two cases (Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR)) wherein eyewitness statements were accepted as sufficient evidence in which to award the Air Medal to Soldiers. He also provides two ABCMR cases wherein the applicants requested award of the Air Medal...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110014791
He contends he has proof of combat flight hours while serving with the 121st Assault Helicopter Company from 17 August through 2 December 1967, and also has a copy of the orders which show he was authorized to add the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar to his DD Form 214. Item 24 of his DD Form 214 shows he was awarded or is authorized the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Aircraft Crewman Badge, the Sharpshooter Marksmanship...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130019437
BOARD DATE: 15 July 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130019437 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show 36 awards of the Air Medal (AM), the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle and Pistol Bars, and campaign participation credit for the 1968 Tet...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | AR20130019437
BOARD DATE: 15 July 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130019437 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show 36 awards of the Air Medal (AM), the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle and Pistol Bars, and campaign participation credit for the 1968 Tet...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080006040
Counsel requests on behalf of the applicant award of the Air Medal with Numerals 12 46). Counsel provides a copy of a self authored statement; a copy of the applicant's DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty); copies of the applicant's orders awarding him the Air Medal with Numerals 2-11); and copies of the Air Medal Award Certificates. Therefore, a review is being made on the evidence submitted by the applicant and his counsel.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100017421
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Air Medal (AM). In the absence of orders, there is insufficient evidence to correct his records to show the AM.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100013187
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 22 January 1968, completed training, and was awarded the military occupational specialty 13E (Field Artillery Operations and Intelligence Assistant). The record does not contain any evidence that the applicant was recommended for award of the Air Medal or the Combat Infantryman Badge.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050004780C070206
He continues that based on the rule that an Air Medal is awarded for every 25 hours flown in combat time, he is authorized an additional 26 awards of the Air Medal. The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief and to excuse failure to timely file. The Board further determined that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief.