1. There is insufficient evidence to show the applicant met the criteria for award of the Air Medal.
2. The applicant served in Vietnam from 28 January 1967 to 8 January 1968. He was assigned as a rifleman to Company C and Company E, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, as well as Company E, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment. According to the statements provided by the former members of his chain of command, the unit operated in the Mekong Delta and that dozens of their patrols were launched via Huey Helicopters.
a. The single most important document used to determine an individual's eligibility for award of the Air Medal during the Vietnam Conflict was the DA Form 759-1 (Individual Flight Record and Flight Certificate). …show more content…
The fact that other members of the chain of command received the Air Medal does not entitle the applicant to the same; the Air Medal is an individual award. It is noted here that SSG DLK (the former squad leader/platoon sergeant) earned the Air Medal for achievement from 6 to 23 February 1967 whereas CPT HEL (then C Company Commander) for achievement from 6 February to 5 December 1967 and 1LT JRB for achievement from 6 February to 14 December 1967. Each Soldier met the criteria at a different time. Had the applicant met the criteria at any time, it is reasonable to say here that orders would have been issued to award him this medal just like orders had been issued to award others this …show more content…
The statements submitted by former members of the unit are noted but they are based on memory and are not specific in nature. It was not only 25 missions: the criteria was that 25 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. Without a record of hours flown and missions completed, it is virtually impossible for any member of the chain of command to remember if someone met this criteria 45 years after the fact.
3. The applicant's request for a personal appearance hearing was carefully considered. However, by regulation, an applicant is not entitled to a hearing before the ABCMR. Hearings may be authorized by a panel of the ABCMR or by the Director of the ABCMR. In this case, the evidence of record and independent evidence provided by the applicant are sufficient to render a fair and equitable decision. A personal appearance hearing is not necessary to serve the interest of equity and justice in this
2. The applicant served in Vietnam from 28 January 1967 to 8 January 1968. He was assigned as a rifleman to Company C and Company E, 4th Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, as well as Company E, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment. According to the statements provided by the former members of his chain of command, the unit operated in the Mekong Delta and that dozens of their patrols were launched via Huey Helicopters.
a. The single most important document used to determine an individual's eligibility for award of the Air Medal during the Vietnam Conflict was the DA Form 759-1 (Individual Flight Record and Flight Certificate). …show more content…
The fact that other members of the chain of command received the Air Medal does not entitle the applicant to the same; the Air Medal is an individual award. It is noted here that SSG DLK (the former squad leader/platoon sergeant) earned the Air Medal for achievement from 6 to 23 February 1967 whereas CPT HEL (then C Company Commander) for achievement from 6 February to 5 December 1967 and 1LT JRB for achievement from 6 February to 14 December 1967. Each Soldier met the criteria at a different time. Had the applicant met the criteria at any time, it is reasonable to say here that orders would have been issued to award him this medal just like orders had been issued to award others this …show more content…
The statements submitted by former members of the unit are noted but they are based on memory and are not specific in nature. It was not only 25 missions: the criteria was that 25 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. Without a record of hours flown and missions completed, it is virtually impossible for any member of the chain of command to remember if someone met this criteria 45 years after the fact.
3. The applicant's request for a personal appearance hearing was carefully considered. However, by regulation, an applicant is not entitled to a hearing before the ABCMR. Hearings may be authorized by a panel of the ABCMR or by the Director of the ABCMR. In this case, the evidence of record and independent evidence provided by the applicant are sufficient to render a fair and equitable decision. A personal appearance hearing is not necessary to serve the interest of equity and justice in this