BOARD DATE: 28 January 2010
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090013003
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 reconsideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) denial to correct his military records to show he is authorized the Presidential Unit Citation (Army).
2. The applicant states that the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) was awarded to the Studies and Observation Group, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, in General Orders 25, dated 2001. He states that the citation states that supporting these hazardous missions were helicopter units of the U.S. Army and that these courageous aviators often flew through heavy fire to extract Special Operations Group operators from seemingly hopeless situations
. The applicant states that he flew these missions while serving with the 57th Assault Helicopter Company between June 1969 and July 1970 and he should therefore be authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation (Army).
3. The applicant provides, in support of his application, copies of a history of the 57th Assault Helicopter Company from 1 January 1969 - 31 December 1969, an excerpt from "Running Recon, A Photo Journey with SOG Special Ops Along the Ho Chi Minh Trail," and photographs of his unit's patches.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20090003352, on 16 July 2009.
2. The applicant submitted a history of the 57th Assault Helicopter Company from 1 January 1969 - 31 December 1969, an excerpt from "Running Recon, A Photo Journey with SOG Special Ops Along the Ho Chi Minh Trail," and photographs of his unit's patches. These documents are new evidence which requires that his case be reconsidered by the ABCMR.
3. Records available to the Board indicate the applicant was inducted and entered active duty as an enlisted Soldier on 9 December 1968. He was assigned as a crew chief with the 57th Aviation Company in Vietnam between June 1969 and July 1970 where he was awarded, among other decorations, three awards of the Purple Heart and 18 awards of the Air Medal.
4. On 16 July 1970, the applicant was released from active duty with an honorable characterization of service.
5. Department of the Army General Order Number 25, dated 8 June 2001, announced award of the Presidential Unit Citation to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), Studies and Observation Group for the period
24 January 1964 to 30 April 1972. The order included a list of 12 Army units that were assigned or attached to the Studies and Observation Group and also entitled to the award. The 57th Assault Helicopter Company is not listed among those units.
6. The history of the 57th Assault Helicopter Company documents unit operations, aircraft damage, casualties suffered, and awards submitted for the year 1969. This history documents missions flown in support of the 5th Special Forces Group as well as other missions as assigned. However, there is no evidence the 57th Assault Helicopter Company was assigned or attached to the 5th Special Forces Group.
7. The additional documents provided by the applicant further documented his unit's mission and the support they provided.
8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action. A unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. An individual must be assigned or attached to a unit during the period for which the decoration was awarded in order to be authorized permanent wear of the decoration.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant contends he should be authorized to wear the Presidential Unit Citation (Army).
2. Department of the Army General Order Number 25, dated 8 June 2001, shows the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) was awarded to the Studies and Observations Group, MACV for the period 24 January 1964 to 30 April 1972 and listed specific assigned or attached units that were included in the award. The 57th Assault Helicopter Company is not among those listed in the citation. There is no evidence the applicant's unit was attached or assigned to one of the units that are listed on the citation.
3. The fact that the applicant flew numerous missions with the 57th Assault Helicopter Company is a matter of record and the bravery and accomplishments of the men in that unit are not in question. There is simply no evidence of the applicant's unit having been included in the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) announced in Department of the Army General Order Number 25, dated 8 June 2001. Therefore, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request for the Presidential Unit Citation (Army).
4. The applicant and all others concerned should know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to our Nation. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.
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 to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20090003352, dated 16 July 2009.
_______ _ _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) AR20090012941
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090013003
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