IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 23 April 2015
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140015883
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 to be awarded the Pathfinder Badge.
2. The applicant states that he has obtained information from his 11th Pathfinder Company team sergeant substantiating that he completed all of the training required for award of the Pathfinder Badge.
3. The applicant provides a three-page notarized letter from his former team sergeant who also provides copies of documents to verify he trained the applicant in pathfinder operations and a letter from a former team member and trainer who also certifies the applicant met the requirements for award of the Pathfinder Badge.
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 AR20130013950 on 10 April 2014.
2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 1 November 1968 for a period of 2 years. He completed his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, his advanced individual training as a light weapons infantryman at Fort Gordon, Georgia and his basic airborne training at Fort Benning, Georgia before being transferred to Vietnam on 8 July 1969 for assignment to the 11th Aviation Group to provide pathfinder support in military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B1Y. His MOS at that time was 11B1P ("P" indicates parachutist qualified).
3. On 30 May 1970, while serving in the rank of corporal, he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) in MOS 11B1Y ("Y" indicates Pathfinder qualified).
4. A review of his official records failed to show evidence of the applicant being awarded the Pathfinder Badge.
5. The evidence submitted by the applicant from the former members of his Pathfinder unit indicates that the applicant completed the required on-the-job training and was recommended for award of that badge.
6. He departed Vietnam on 4 July 1970 and was transferred to Fort Dix, New Jersey where he was honorably released from active duty on 7 July 1970 as an overseas returnee. He had served 1 year, 8 months and 7 days of active service. He was awarded the Parachutist Badge, CIB, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Air Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
7. United States Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards), in effect at the time, provided that the authority to award the Pathfinder badge was delegated to the Commanding General, USARV. It also provided that airborne qualified personnel may be designated Pathfinders and awarded the Pathfinder Badge upon completion of 90 days on-the-job training in pathfinder duties. Those personnel will be permanently qualified to wear the pathfinder badge upon completion of 6 months of duty in a Table of Organization and Equipment position requiring pathfinder qualified personnel, or upon completion of 25 missions as a pathfinder, whichever occurs first. Additionally, individuals must complete the prescribed training.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicants contention that he should have been awarded the Pathfinder Badge has been noted and appears to have merit.
2. The applicant was assigned to Vietnam to provide Pathfinder support and in May 1970, he was awarded the CIB in MOS 11B1Y, indicating that he was pathfinder qualified.
3. The evidence submitted by the applicant from former members of his unit appears to be credible and indicates that the applicant met the qualifications for award of the Pathfinder Badge.
4. Accordingly, he should be awarded the Pathfinder badge and it should be added to his DD Form 214.
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 amendment of the ABCMRs decision in Docket Number AR20130013950, dated 10 April 2014. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by awarding him the Pathfinder Badge and adding it to his DD Form 214.
_______ _ _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.
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