IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 10 October 2013
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130001808
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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the:
* Distinguished Flying Cross
* Valorous Unit Award
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
2. The applicant states these awards were not awarded to him at the time of his discharge. During his tour of duty in Vietnam, he performed duties as a helicopter pilot with the 71st Aviation Company. He was recently awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He has also been informed that he is eligible for the Valorous Unit Award from the period 11 through 31 August 1969 and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 24 August through 31 December 1969.
3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214, orders, and an award citation.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant provides Permanent Order 117-12, dated 26 April 2012, issued by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (HRC), awarding him the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight in Vietnam on 18 August 1969.
2. His records contain a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214 - Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), dated 17 May 2012, issued by HRC, wherein it added the Distinguished Flying Cross to his DD Form 214. Therefore, this portion of his request will not be discussed further in this Record of Proceedings.
3. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 28 July 1967. He was honorably discharged on 25 August 1968.
4. His records contain General Orders (GO) Number 54, dated 26 July 1968, issued by Headquarters, U.S. Army Aviation School, Fort Rucker, AL, awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) for the period 28 July 1967 through 25 August 1968. The DD Form 214 he was issued for this period of service does not show the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award).
5. He was appointed as a warrant officer one in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) and executed an oath of office, with concurrent call to active duty, on 26 August 1968. He attained the rank/grade of chief warrant officer two (CW2)/W-2 on 26 August 1969.
6. He served in Vietnam while assigned to the 71st Aviation Company from 27 September 1968 to 26 September 1969 and from 14 July 1970 to 15 January 1971.
7. He was honorably released from active duty on 18 January 1971 in the rank of CW2 and he was transferred to the USAR. He completed 2 years, 4 months, and 23 days of creditable active service during this period of service.
8. The DD Form 214 he was issued for this period of service shows award of the:
* National Defense Service Medal
* Vietnam Campaign Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal
* Army Commendation Medal
* Army Aviator Badge
* Air Medal (9th Oak Leaf Cluster)
9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. A bronze service star is authorized with this award for each Vietnam campaign a member is credited with participating in; a silver star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars. A review of his records shows that during both his periods of service in Vietnam he participated in six campaigns.
10. Department of the Army (DA) Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This pamphlet shows the 71st Aviation Company was cited for award of the
* Valorous Unit Award, for the period 11 through 31 August 1969, by DA General Orders (DAGO) Number 43, dated 1972
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, for the period 24 August through 31 December 1969, by DAGO Number 42, dated 1972
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The evidence of record confirms GO awarded the applicants unit the Valorous Unit Award and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation during a period he was assigned to the unit. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show these unit awards.
2. His records show he participated in six campaigns during his two periods of service in Vietnam. Therefore, he is entitled to one silver service star and one bronze service star for wear on his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal and correction of his DD Form 214 accordingly.
3. GO awarded him the Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award) which is not shown on either of his DD Forms 214. Therefore, it would be appropriate to correct his final DD Form 214 to show this award.
BOARD VOTE:
____X____ ___X_____ ___X_____ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 18 January 1971 as follows:
* deleting the Vietnam Service Medal
* adding the:
* Army Good Conduct Medal (1st Award)
* Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star and one bronze service star
* Valorous Unit Award
* Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
_______ _ _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) AR20130001808
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130001808
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