IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  10 January 2013

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120008592 


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 his request for the following awards:

* Expert Infantryman Badge
* Expert Field Medical Badge
* Senior Parachutist Badge

2.  The applicant states:

* he was interviewed, tested, and selected as a candidate for the U.S. Army Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course
* airborne training is a prerequisite for Special Forces which he completed at Fort Benning. Georgia, where he earned his Jump Wings
* he was transferred and was assigned to the position of Special Forces Team Medic
* he participated in several training exercises while completing the required cross training in other military occupational specialty qualifications
* his unit was deployed to Bad Toelz, Germany, to operate behind enemy lines 
* he was required to have a working knowledge of foreign weapons, primarily Russian small arms
* he attended German language school and attended area background studies at the U.S. Army Intelligence School
* 
he had extensive on the job medical training and performed extensive medical duties
* during operation Cordon Blue, Special Forces operated with French Airborne Teams in covert operation tactics
* between 30 January 1953 and 4 July 1956 he participated in 35 jumps that included 9 night jumps, 18 with combat equipment, jumpmaster of a stick at night, and three mass tactical jumps
* he completed the Basic Airborne Course on 30 January 1953
* he completed the Jump Master Course on 11 August 1955
* he was on jump status for 41 consecutive months between 30 January 1953 and 15 July 1956
* he has met all of the minimum requirements for his Senior Parachutist Wings

3.  The applicant provides:

* DA AGO Form 613 (Check List for Oversea Movement)
* Redeployment Orders 6 S 135, dated 20 June 1956
* 10th Special Forces Group Airborne Certificate of Service
* A certificate designating him to be a member of the 1st Special Forces Regiment
* 10th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Regiment, Lineage and Honors Information

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 AR20110001776, on 30 August 2011.

2.  The applicant’s military records are not available for review.  A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.  It is believed that the applicant’s records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  This case is being reconsidered using documentation submitted by the applicant.

3.  He enlisted in the Army 11 June 1952.  He completed training as a medical aidman.  He was honorably discharged for the convenience of the government on 11 October 1953.


4.  The applicant reenlisted in the Army for 3 years on 12 October 1953.  He was honorably discharged on 18 July 1956 as an overseas returnee.  His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows the following awards:

* Parachutist Badge
* National Defense Service Medal
* Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp
* Good Conduct Medal

5.  In an application to this Board dated 28 June 2012, the applicant requested correction of his DD Form 214 to show he is authorized the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Special Forces Tab, the Expert Field Medical Badge, and the Senior Parachutist Badge.  He was granted partial relief on 30 August 2011.  He was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) to show he is authorized the Special Forces Tab and to add the following courses:

* Jump Master Course
* Basic Airborne Course
* Area Familiarization Course
* Military Skiing and Winter Operations Course
* Course B Uniform Code of Military Justice
* Special Forces Clinical Aidman Course

6.  The applicant submitted a DA AGO Form 613, Deployment Orders 6 S 135, 10th Special Forces Group Airborne Certificate of Service, 1st Special Forces Regiment Certificate, and 10th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Regiment Lineage and Honor Information.

7.  Army Regulation 672-1 (Military Awards) states:

	a.  In order to be awarded the Expert Infantryman Badge, personnel must meet Department of the Army established testing requirements and must possess a military occupational specialty within Career Management Field 11 (Infantry) or 18 (Special Forces), less MOS 18D (special operations medical sergeant).

	b.  The Expert Field Medical Badge recognizes Army medical personnel for attaining a high state of technical skill in field medical functions.  It is awarded on the basis of proven skill and performance.  Prior to being awarded the badge, personnel must successfully pass all test parts prescribed by Army regulations.

	c.  In order to be awarded the Senior Parachutist Badge, a Soldier must have participated in a minimum of 30 parachute jumps to include 15 jumps with combat equipment; two night jumps, one of which is as jumpmaster of a stick; two mass tactical jumps which culminate in an airborne assault problem; graduated from the Jump Master Course; and served on jump status with an airborne unit or other organization authorized parachutists for a total of at least 24 months.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's contentions have been noted.  His supporting evidence has been considered.

2.  However, none of the documents he submitted support his contention that he is authorized the requested awards.

3.  Unfortunately, since his records are unavailable there is insufficient evidence showing that he participated in a minimum of 30 parachute jumps to include 15 jumps with combat equipment; two night jumps, one of which was as jumpmaster of a stick; two mass tactical jumps which culminate in an airborne assault problem; and served on jump status with an airborne unit or other organization authorized parachutist for a total of a least 24 months.  Therefore, he is not authorized the Senior Parachutist Badge.

4.  The applicant was not an infantryman; therefore, he does not qualify for award of the Expert Infantryman Badge.  There is insufficient evidence showing he successfully passed all test parts prescribed by Army regulations for award of the Expert Field Medical Badge.

5.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant's request should be denied.

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 AR20110001776, dated 30 August 2011.




      _______ _   __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)                                         AR20120008592





3


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120008592



2


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1