DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. TOTAL ARMY PERSONNEL COMMAND

ALEXANDRIA,VA

22331-0404

REPLY TO

ATTENTION OF September 19, 1995

Military Awards Branch

Dear Mr. (name deleted under Freedom of Information Act)

This is in response to your letter of July 25 concerning

retroactive award of the Air Assault Badge to the Vietnam

Veterans of the lOlst Airborne Division.

During the Vietnam period, a "defacto" Air Assault Badge was

awarded to members of the 101st Airborne Division based upon six

months honorable service in the Division. However, the current

Air Assault Badge is awarded only after completion of a very

demanding and challenging course of instruction with intense

training and testing. When the criteria for the Air Assault

Badge was being established, the feasibility of authorizing

retroactive awards to former members of the air assault units was

considered and rejected. The Army determined that there was no

substantive basis to favorably consider such a course of action.

Considering the significant differences in the standards

during the Vietnam era to be awarded the Air Assault Badge and

the current criteria, a retroactive award of the Air Assault

Badge to members of the 101st Airborne Division would create an

inequity for some soldiers and result in an inconsistent

application of awards policy to the group of soldiers you seek to

honor.

As to your suggestion on an honorary badge, the Department of

Defense has never approved issuance of an honorary badge of any

type. The World War II Commemorative Medals which you refer to

are not official Department of Defense medals. The World War II

Commemorative Committee authorized some private vendors to mint

and sell World War II mementos, which includes the World War II

Commemorative Medals you mentioned.

-2-

While this is not the answer you were looking for, we believe

that the lOlst Airborne Division's unique contributions were

appropriately and distinctively recognized by the awarding of

other combat badges, and decorations.

Your interest in this matter is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Peter G. Dagnes

Major, U.S. Army

Chief, Military Awards

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

HEADQURTERS 1015T AIRBORNE DIVISION (AIR ASSAULT) AND FORT CAMPBELL

FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY 42223-5000

4 AUG 1997

Personnel Operations Branch

Mr. Bill Lux

101 st Airborne Division Vietnam Veterans

P.O. Box 5614

Dothan, Alabama 36302

Dear Mr. Lux:

In response to your recent correspondence requesting help in resolving the question: "Why were the Vietnam Veterans never awarded any type of Air Mobile or Air Assault Badge (AAB) when the division changed over from Airborne in 196$?"

There is nothing being done to award Vietnam Veterans the AAB. The issue of awarding the AAB to former members of the 101 st Airborne Division (Air Assault) has been extensively reviewed and rejected by the Department of the Army.

A letter from U. S. Total Army Personnel Command dated September 19, 1995, to an individual adresssing the same issue sated:

"During the Vietnam period, a defacto AAB was awarded to members of the 101 st Airborne Division based upon six months honorable service in the Division However, the current AAB is awarded only after completion of a very demanding and challenging course of instruction with intense training and testing. When the criteria for the AAB was being established, the feasibility of authv.t‑tg retroactive awards to forwer members of the air assault units was considered and rejected. The Army determined that there was no substantive basis to favorably consider such a course of action.

"Considering the significant difference in the standards during the Vietnam era to be awarded the AAB and the current criteria, a retroactive award of the AAB to members of the 101st Airborne Division would create an inequity for some soldiers and result in an inconsistent application of awards policy to the group of soldiers you seek to honor."

Headquarters, Department of the Army makes policy concerning all award issues. They are the proponent to the military awards regulation governing the AAB. Any questions concerning award of the AAB to former Vietnam Veterans of the Division should be sent to the address listed below

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. TOTAL ARMY PERSONNEL COMMAND

ALEXANDRIA, VA

22332‑0471

REPLY TO

‑ ATTENTION OF

January 11, 1999

Military Awards Branch

Captain Guy C. Lamunyon

23 Poplar Drive

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Dear Captain Lamunyon:

This responds to your letter of December 6, 1998, concerning retroactively awarding the Air Assault Badge to veterans who served six months or more with the 101St Airborne Division during the Vietnam Conflict.

The Army recently completed a thorough review, in coordination with Headquarters, 101St Airborne Division (Air Assault), and the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command, for retroactive award of the Air Assault Badge (AAB), which was not favorably considered.

There is no question that the 101 St Airborne Division, along with other divisions who served in Vietnam, laid the foundation for today's Air Assault doctrine. In fact, the 1 St Cavalry Division was the first division to extensively employ Air Assault Operations in the La Drang Valley battle of November 14, 1965. However, collectively speaking, the majority of soldiers who served in these divisions never participated in Air Assault Operations. To retroactively award the AAB to everyone who served in these divisions cannot be justified. Furthermore, to attempt to identify and recognize those soldiers who did participate in Air Assault Operations, and retroactively award the AAB, is not feasible.

I regret that my response is not favorably, but hope this information help to clarify the Army's position on this matter.

Sincerely,

Daniel B. Gibson

Major, U.S. Army

Chief, Military Awards Branch

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CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20318‑9999

3 June 1999

Mr. Guy C. Lamunyon

Chairman, Awards and

Decorations Committee

101 st Airborne Division

Vietnam Veterans

23 Poplar Drive

Aliso Viejo, California 92656

Dear Mr. Lamunyon,

Thank you for the recent letter requesting my support for retroactive award of the Air Assault Badge to Vietnam veterans. The many courageous contributions of the 101 st Airborne Division to achieving US objectives in Vietnam are well recognized. Unfortunately, however, responsibility for determination of merit for unit awards rests with the US Army. To that end, a copy of your letter has been forwarded to the Army for consideration.

Your service to the Vietnam veterans is deeply appreciated. With best wishes,

Sincerely,

HENRY H. SHELTON

Chairman

of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. TOTAL ARMY PERSONNEL COMMAND

ALEXANDRIA, VA

22332‑0471

REPLY TO

‑ ATTENTION OF

April 25, 2000

Military Awards Branch

Mr. Guy C. Lamunyon

23 Poplar Drive

Aliso Viejo, California 29656

Dear Mr. Lamunyon:

This is in response to your March 7, 2000 email message to the Secretary of Defense concerning retroactive award of the Air Assault Badge.

There is little we can add to our previous response concerning retroactive award of the Air Assault Badge. There are no historical files to substantiate that air assault training was conducted in Vietnam. A copy of the 101St Airborne Division Historian's review is enclosed. Therefore, retroactive award of the badge is not authorized.

I regret that this response cannot be more favorable. If I can provide you any future assistance, please contact me.

Sincerely,

Bernard P. Gabriel

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

Chief, Military Awards Branch

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. TOTAL ARMY PERSONNEL COMMAND

ALEXANDRIA, VA

22332‑0471

REPLY TO

‑ ATTENTION OF June 4, 1999

Military Awards Branch

Captain Guy C. Lamunyon (USAR)

23 Poplar Drive

Aliso Viejo, California 29656

Dear Captain Lamunyon:

This responds to your May 6, 1999 letter to the Secretary of the Army concerning retroactive award of the Air Assault Badge. As proponent for the Military Awards Program, Army‑wide, your letter was referred to this office for review and reply.

There is little we can add to our previous response to you concerning retroactive award of the Air Assault Badge. The recent review revealed that the majority of soldiers who served in the 101St Airborne and 1St Calvary Divisions never participated in Air Assault operations. Therefore, there are no further plans to study or consider this issue at this time.

I regret that this response will not be to your satisfaction, but trust you understand the position we have taken on this issue.

Sincerely,

Daniel B. Gibson

Lieutenant Colonel, GS

Chief, Military Awards Branch

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. TOTAL ARMY PERSONNEL COMMAND

ALEXANDRIA, V A

V 22332‑0471

‑

REPLY TO

ATTENTION OF ‑• SEP 2 2 20013

Military Awards Branch

Honorable Christopher Cox RECEIVED

Representative in Congress SEP 2 8 2000

ATTN: Lisa Dillon

One Newport Place, Suite 420 HON. COX CA OFFICE

Newport Beach, CA 92660

Dear Mr. Cox:.

This is in response to your letter of August 22, 2000, on behalf of your constituent, Mr. Guy C. Lamunyon, concerning the retroactive award of the Air Assault Badge to any individual who participated in at least one combat air assault prior to April 1, 1974. Your letter was forwarded to this office, the proponent for the Army's Awards and Decorations Program, for reply.

This issue has been reviewed and addressed on numerous occasions by the Total Army Personnel Command, the 101 st Airborne Division (Air Assault)/Fort Campbell (the Army's proponent for the Air Assault Badge) and the Training and Doctrine Command. After a thorough review, it was concluded that retroactive award of the Air Assault Badge would be inappropriate because it would be impossible to verify individual eligibility based on Mr. Lamunyon's proposal that every soldier that participated in at least one combat air assault should be eligible for the badge. Current Army policy regulation authorizes award of the Air Assault Badge to any soldier who satisfactorily completes an air assault training course according to the Training and Doctrine Command standardized Air Assault Core Program of Instruction, or completes the air assault course wile assigned or attached to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) after April 1, 1974.

I trust the information provided is helpful. Thank you for your interest in the Army's Awards Program. We appreciate your support of our veterans and the men and women serving in our Army today.

Sincerely,

Russell J. Maziarka

Colonel, U.S. Army`

Chief, Personnel Service

Support Division

CHRISTOPHER COX 2402 RAYBURN BUILDING

( '.1 WASHINGTON, DC 20515‑0547

CALIFORNIA ;;,o °`~' ,~ (202) 225‑5611

CHAIRMAN:

ONE NEWPORT PLACE

POLICY COMMITTEE

SUITE 420

CHAIRMAN: NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92660

SELECT COMMITTEE ON (949) 756‑2244

U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY AND

MILITARY/COMMERCIAL CONCERNS WITH COMMERCE COMMITTEE

THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Congress of the United States SUBCOMMITTEES ON:

TELECOMMUNICATIONS, TRADE

HOUSE LEADERSHIP AND CONSUMER PROTECTION

STEERING COMMITTEE House of Representatives

FINANCE AND HAZARDOUS

COMMERCE COMMITTEE MATERIALS

OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS

September 28, 2000

Mr. Guy C.Lamunyon

23 Poplar Drive

Aliso Viejo, California 92656

Dear Guy:

As you know, at your request, I contacted the Department

of the Army in your behalf. I have just received their

response and am forwarding it directly to you.

If my office can be of further assistance or answer any additional questions concerning this matter, please do not hesitate to call Steve Digerlando of my Orange County staff. In addition, please let us know if we may again be of assistance to you on any other subject in the future.

It has been a privilege to represent you in this matter.

Sincerely,

Christoper Cox

U. S. Representative

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,~ DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

tl/

U.S. TOTAL ARMY PERSONNEL COMMAND~~

ALEXANDRIA, VA

‑ 22332‑0471 w°'"°"'"""

REPLY TO

ATTENTION OF

November 15, 2000

Military Awards Branch

Mr. Guy C. Lamunyon

101 st Airborne Division Vietnam Veterans

23 Poplar Drive

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Dear Mr. Lamunyon:

This is in response to your letter of October 20, 2000, concerning your desire for a change to Army Regulation 600‑8‑22 (Military Awards) to authorize wear of the Air Assault Badge by any individual who has participated in at least one combat air assault prior to April 1, 1974.

Current Army policy authorizes award of the Air Assault Badge to any soldier who satisfactorily completes an air assault training course according to the Training and Doctrine Command standardized Air Assault Core Program of Instruction, or completes the air assault course while assigned or attached to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) after April 1, 1974. The Department of the Army proponent for the Air Assault Badge has no plans to change the criteria for award or wearing of the badge.

Thank you for your interest in the Army's Awards Program.

Sincerely,

Laurel D. Cunnane

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

Chief, Military Awards Branch

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

U.S. TOTAL ARMY PERSONNEL COMMAND

ALEXANDRIA, VA

22332‑0471

REPLY TO

‑ ATTENTION OF May 22, 2001

Military Awards Branch

Mr. Guy C. Lamunyon

:23 Poplar Drive

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Dear Mr. Lamunyon:

This is in response to your letter of December 13, 2000, concerning information on the proponent for the Air Assault Badge.

The proponent for the Air Assault Badge is the Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Thank you for your interest in the Army's Awards Program.

Sincerely,

v Laurel D. Cunnane

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

Chief, Military Awards Branch

HEADQUARTERS

101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION (AIR ASSAULT) AND FORT CAMPBELL

CHIEF OF STAFF

FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY 42223‑6627

Mr. Guy C. Lamunyon

Dear Sir,

Attached is a copy of General Order 179 issued by MG Berry from 1974 that you requested.

MG Berry's memo lays out specific criteria for award of the award of the badge.

I recommend that if you feel you meet the requirements specified in the memo that you send a personal request to the Commanding General, 101St ABN DIV (AASLT) and make your case for award of the badge. If MG Cody finds merit in the request, he can consider awarding you the badge as he is the approval authority.

Take care and God Bless

COL Mike Oates

Chief of Staff

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

u.s. TOTAL ARMY PERSONNEL COMMAND

ALEXANDRIA VA

22332-0471

February 10, 2003

Military Awards Branch

Mr. Robert W. Hettiger

15 Boxwood Street

East Hampton, NY 11937

Dear Mr. Hettiger:

This is in response to your letter of December 12, 2002, to General Richard B.

Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, concerning your desire to have Vietnam

veterans retroactively awarded the Air Assault Badge. Your letter was forwarded to this

office, the proponent for the Army's Awards and Decorations Program, for reply.

In order to qualify for award of the Air Assault Badge, the recipient must have

completed an Air Assault Training Course according to the Army's Training and

Doctrine Command Standardized Air Assault Core Program of Instruction after April 1,

1974. This headquarters and the proponent for the Air Assault Badge have reviewed

the issue of retroactively awarding the Air Assault Badge on several occasions.

Regrettably, the decision not to retroactively award the Badge was reaffirmed during

each review. Air Assault Badge approval authority is currently delegated to

commanders of divisions and separate brigades as well as the Commander, 101 st

Airborne Division (Air Assault).

Although my reply is not favorable, Vietnam era veterans who served and

participated in air mobile combat operations can be extremely proud of their faithful and

dedicated service to our Nation.

Sincerely,

Robert L. White, Jr.

Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army

Chief, Military Awards Branch

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Page 1 of 1

Mr. Hettiger,

The Army has never conducted a study in reference to the issue you mentioned

below. Currently, the Air Assault Parity Coalition, has submitted a

request to have a representative of PERSCOM attend a stakeholders meeting to

discuss the retroactive award of the Air Assault Badge to Vietnam Airmobile

combat veterans.

SSG Shwanda M. Mizner

NCO Policy Section

Military A wards Branch, PSSD, T AGD

HQ, PERSCOM

Original Message From: BOB HETTIGER [mailto:BOBHETTIGER@rnsn.com]

Sent: Saturday, February 15,20037:44 AM

To: Mizner, Shwanda, PERSCOM

Subject: Air Assault Badge

Dear Shwanda, thank you very much for the information, that you sent

me.It means a lot to me, that you care about, helping veterans. I belong to

a, group known as, the Air Assault Parity Coalition. Tills organization is

trying to get a retroactive awarding, of the Air Assault Badge, to Vietnam Combat veterans who, participated in air assault operations in Vietnam. I

understand that the Military A wards Branch, did a study, around 1995. The study was about, the feasibility of the retroactive awarding of the ,Air Assault Badge, to Veterans of Vietnam. I would like to get a copy of this report if possible. I would like to thank you again Shwanda, for your help. You are a credit to the Army.

Best Wishes, Robert.

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DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

~u.s. TOTAL ARMY PERSONNEL COMMAND

ALEXANDRIA, VA

WORLD WAB U

REPLY TO 22332-0471

ATTENTION OF

February 24, 2003

Military Awards Branch

Mr. Guy C. Lamunyon

Coordinator, Air Assault Parity Coalition

23 Poplar Drive

Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Dear Mr. Lamunyon:

This responds to your letter dated January 21, 2003 requesting a representative

from the United States Total Army Personnel Command to attend a stakeholders

meeting to discuss the retroactive awarding of the Air Assault Badge to Vietnam

Airmobile combat veterans.

I reviewed the history relating to the previous requests and read all of the

information from the internet web sites addressing this issue. I am well aware of the

significance this badge has for the heroic veterans who pioneered the use of helicopters

. in war. However, the Total Army Personnel Command is not the decision authority in

this matter and a representative from the command would not be able to meet your

conference expectations.

If at the conclusion of your meeting the coalition still wishes to pursue this matter,

please forward your request for reconsideration to the United States Total Army

Personnel Command, attention: TAPC-PDO-PA, and it will be forwarded to the

appropriate senior leadership for review and decision.

Sincerely,

William W. Taylor III / C

Colonel, US Army