| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Mr. Arthur A. Omartian | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Thomas B. Redfern | Member | |
| Mr. Thomas E. O'Shaughnessy | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: Award of the Air Medal and the "Vietnam Wound Medal."
Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) does not show the "Vietnam Wound Medal" as an authorized award. Therefore, this portion of the applicant's request will not be discussed further in this Memorandum of Consideration.
The Board notes that the applicant's service personnel records show that he received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in action on 12 May 1970 in Vietnam.
APPLICANT STATES: That in 1970 he served as a platoon sergeant with Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division in Vietnam. He contends that during this time he made between 15 and 20 combat air assaults.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
The applicant was inducted on 15 April 1969. He served as a light weapons infantryman in Vietnam from 17 March 1970 through 20 September 1970 and was honorably released from active duty on 13 January 1971.
The applicant's DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Air Medal as an authorized award.
There are no orders for the Air Medal in the applicant’s service personnel records. There are no flight hours recorded in the applicant’s service personnel records. There also is no evidence that the applicant met the qualifications for or was recommended for award of the Air Medal.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that 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.
U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided, in pertinent part, guidelines for award of the Air Medal. It established that 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) and accrual of a minimum of 25 hours of flight time while engaged in Category I missions was the standard established for which sustained operations were deemed worthy of recognition by an award of the Air Medal. However, the regulation was clear that these guidelines were considered only a departure point. Nothing created an entitlement to the award.
DISCUSSION: Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:
1. The Board noted the applicant’s contention that he made between 15 and 20 combat air assaults in Vietnam in 1970. However, there is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, to support this contention.
2. There is no evidence of record available to the Board which shows the applicant was recommended for, awarded, or otherwise qualified for award of the Air Medal. Therefore, the Board determined that there is insufficient evidence on which to base an award of the Air Medal in this case.
3. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.
4. In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.
DETERMINATION: The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
AAO____ TBR_____ TEO____ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2002079398 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20030401 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0018 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001053864C070420
U. S. Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided, in pertinent part, guidelines for award of the Air Medal. The Board further concludes that the applicant’s accrual of 470 combat flight hours entitles him to 18 awards of the Air Medal, correctly known as the Air Medal with Numeral “18”. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003085584C070212
The applicant's DD Form 214 shows that he was awarded the following: "Army Aviator Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal (Korea), Bronze Star Medal, and 1 Overseas Service Bar." The applicant is entitled to award of the National Defense Service Medal for his honorable active service from 24 February 1967 through 19 April 1972; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his record to show this award. b. awarding the applicant the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002070201C070402
The applicant requests that his records be corrected to show award of the Silver Star (SS) for action on 23 December 1969 and approximately 15 subsequent awards of the Air Medal (AM). U.S Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided, in pertinent part, guidelines for award of the AM. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the AM with numerals 2 through 18; the VUA for the period 14...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060001890 C070205
Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained while in action against an enemy or as a result of hostile action. His DA Form 759 for the period ending March 1971 [when he left Vietnam] shows an additional 860 hours of combat flight time. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the Purple Heart for wounds sustained on...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130013844
The applicant requests that his records be corrected by showing he was awarded the Purple Heart and two awards of the Air Medal. The DA Form 2496 dated 13 December 1979 is a handwritten document requesting a search be made of documents authorizing him award of the Purple Heart and the Air Medal with 1 OLC. U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided guidelines for award of the Air Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002083039C070215
The applicant's service personnel records fail to show that he was recommended for or received an award for apprehending members of a car theft ring. There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was recommended for, awarded, or otherwise qualified for award of the Air Medal. There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was recommended for or awarded the...
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.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110024572
His records do not contain official orders awarding him the Aircraft Crewmember Badge or any additional awards of the Air Medal. USARV Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided guidelines for award of the Air Medal. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to the award of the Aircraft Crewmember Badge and correction of his DD Form 214 to show this award.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002074551C070403
His service personnel records contain 1st Aviation Brigade General Orders Number 4581, dated 28 September 1967, which show he was awarded the basic award of the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight during the period 23 July 1967 to 1 August 1967 in Vietnam. There is no evidence of record available to the Board which shows that the applicant was wounded as a result of hostile action in Vietnam. However, evidence of record shows the applicant...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130019982
Army Regulation 600-200 (Enlisted Personnel Management System), chapter 9, stated a brief description of wounds or injuries (including injury from gas) requiring medical treatment received through hostile or enemy action, including those requiring hospitalization, would be entered in item 40 of the DA Form 20. Nothing in the following typical sources confirms his entitlement to the Air Medal: * his DA Form 20 does not list this award * his flight record is not available for review * his...