PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:              24 March 1999                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AC98-11990
				      AR1998012441

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James E. Vick		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		Member	
	Mr. Allen L. Raub		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant, as the next of kin of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of his step brother’s WD AGO 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show that the FSM was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor. 

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that the Bronze Star Medal is not listed on the FSM’s WD AGO 53-55.  He also states that the citation which he is providing to the Board, for the Bronze Star Medal is authentic, has a V Corps official raised seal, and is marked restricted.  He further states that for some unknown reason the award was omitted from the FSM’s WD AGO 53-55.  

4.  The FSM’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show the FSM was inducted on 13 August 1942.  He served in the European Theater of Operations from 14 April 1944 to 1 December 1945 and was honorably discharged on 18 December 1945.

5.  The FSM’s WD AGO 53-55 shows he was awarded the European African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.  He participated in the Ardennes, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland Campaigns.

6.  A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 10 November 1993, shows the Army Reserve Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the FSM was entitled to the Presidential Unit Citation, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, the Belgian Fourragere, and the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar.

7.  The FSM’s WD AGO 53-55 does not show the Bronze Star Medal for Valor as an authorized award.

8.  The applicant provided a copy of a citation showing that the FSM was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement on 20 September 1944 while assigned to the 741st Tank Battalion.  The citation has a raised seal and appears authentic.  The FSM’s records do not contain orders for award of the Bronze Star Medal.  

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 

10.  The bronze “V” device indicates act of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There are no orders awarding the Bronze Star Medal to the FSM.  However, the citation submitted clearly shows the FSM was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for valor in combat during World War II.  As a result, the Board determined the FSM is entitled to the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device.

2.  The FSM was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, the Belgian Fourragere, and the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar which are not shown on his discharge.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show these awards.

3.  In view of the foregoing the applicant’s records should be corrected as 
as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the FSM awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, the Belgian Fourragere, and the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar. 

BOARD VOTE:  

JEV_____  RWA____  ALR____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		James E. Vick_________
		      CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-11990/AR1998012441	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	199990324	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.