IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  17 September 2008

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080005759 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests award of the Air Medal.

2.  The applicant states that he believes he should have been awarded the Air Medal.  He also adds that he performed duties as a crewmember, occasionally participating in aerial flights, and was receiving flight pay.  He also states that his original unit was the 244th Aviation Company, and that many members of that unit were awarded the Air Medal during the period June 1967 through January 1968; however, he was detached from his unit and was assigned to another unit, and he did not receive his Air Medal.   

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), dated 23 January 1968, in support of his application. 

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (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.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2.  The applicant's record shows he enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 3 years on 29 January 1965.  He completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was initially awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 26E (Radar Sensor Specialist).  He was later awarded MOS 26M (Airborne Radar and Operation Repairer).  He was honorably separated and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) on 23 January 1968.  The highest rank/grade he attained during his military service was specialist five (SP5)/E-4.

3.  The applicant’s record shows he served in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 7 July 1967 to 22 January 1968.  He was assigned to the 537th Signal Detachment (in Vietnam) from 7 July 1967 to 12 September 1967, and to the 131st Aviation Company, from 13 September 1967 to 22 January 1968. 

4.  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), of the applicant’s DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14), and the Aircraft Crewman Badge.  Item 24 does not show award of the Air Medal.

5.  There are no general orders in the applicant's records that show he was awarded the Air Medal.  Additionally, the applicant’s personnel service records do not contain his flight record.

6.  Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant’s DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show award of the Air Medal. 

7.  During the processing of this case, a member for the Board staff reviewed the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System (ADCARS) maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the United States Army Human Resources Command (HRC), which is an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973.  This review failed to reveal any Air Medal orders on file for the applicant.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.

9.  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.  

10.  Title 10 of the United States Code, section 1130 (10 USC 1130) provides the legal authority for consideration of proposals for decorations not previously submitted in timely fashion.  It allows, in effect, that upon the request of a Member of Congress, the Secretary concerned shall review a proposal for the award or presentation of a decoration (or the upgrading of a decoration), either for an individual or a unit, that is not otherwise authorized to be presented or awarded due to limitations established by law or policy for timely submission of a recommendation for such award or presentation.  Based upon such review, the Secretary shall make a determination as to the merits of approving the award or presentation of the decoration.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends that he is entitled to award of the Air Medal.

2.  There are no general orders that show the applicant was awarded the Air Medal and his service records are void of his flight record.  In the absence of flight records or other independent evidence that would confirm he completed the number of missions necessary to be awarded the Air Medal, there is insufficient evidence upon which to base award of the Air Medal in this case.  

3.  While the available evidence is insufficient for awarding the applicant the Air Medal, this in no way affects the applicant’s right to pursue his claim for the Air Medal by submitting a request through his Member of Congress under the provisions of 10 USC 1130.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

____X____  ___X_____  ___X_____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.




      _______ _   __X_____   ___
               CHAIRPERSON
      
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.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080005759



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080005759



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