PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            28 January 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-10864
                                              AR1998013412

	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	
	Mr. Lee Cates		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		Chairperson	
	Mr. Robert W. Garrett		Member	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		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 requests his records be corrected to show award of the Bronze Star Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

3.  The applicant states he thought the awards were in his official records.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that the applicant was inducted on        2 August 1944.  He completed his required training and was awarded military occupational specialty 745 (Rifleman).  He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations from 16 February to 13 June 1945.  He was separated on a Certificate of Disability Discharge on 24 September 1945.

5.  The applicant’s records show his entitlement to the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge; the Good Conduct Medal, for the period 2 August 1944 to 24 September 1945; and, the World War II Victory Medal which are not shown on his discharge 

6.  The Board notes the applicant’s entitlement to the American Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge which are not shown on his discharge.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  Current practice requires that the commander provide written notice of nonfavorable consideration and permits the individual to respond.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for award of the World War II Victory Medal.  It is awarded for service between        7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for the award  of the American Campaign Medal.  This campaign medal is awarded for qualifying service between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946.  Qualifying service includes permanent assignment outside the continental United States, duty as a crewmember aboard a vessel sailing ocean waters for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or duty outside the continental United States as a passenger or in a temporary duty status for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by a corps commander or higher, or service within the continental United States for an aggregate period of one year.
10.  War Department Circular 269-1943 established the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge to recognize and provide an incentive to infantrymen.  The Expert Infantryman Badge was awarded for attainment of certain proficiency standards or by satisfactory performance of duty in action against the enemy.  The Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy.  War Department Circular 186-1944 further provided that the Combat Infantryman Badge was to be awarded only to infantrymen serving with infantry units of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  Additionally, World War II holders of the Combat Infantryman Badge received a monthly pay supplement known as combat infantry pay and holders of the Expert Infantryman Badge were entitled to expert infantry pay.  Therefore, soldiers had economic as well as intangible reasons to insure that their records were correct. Thus, pay records are frequently the best available source to verify entitlement to this award.  The Awards Branch, Total Army Personnel Command, has advised in similar cases that, during World War II, the Combat Infantryman Badge was normally awarded only to enlisted individuals who served in the following positions:  

	a. Light machine gunner (604)
	b. Heavy machine gunner (605)
	c. Platoon sergeant (651)
	d. Squad leader (653)
	e. Rifleman (745)
	f. Automatic rifleman (746)
	g. Heavy weapons NCO (812)
	h. Gun crewman (864).

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence shows the applicant is entitled to the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge; the Good Conduct Medal, for the period 2 August 1944 to 24 September 1945; the World War II Victory Medal; the American Campaign Medal; and, the Combat Infantryman Badge.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the individual concerned the Bronze Star Medal for Meritorious Achievement based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge; the Good Conduct Medal, for the period 2 August 1944 to 24 September 1945; the World War II Victory Medal; the American Campaign Medal; and, the Combat Infantryman Badge.

BOARD VOTE:  

LLS_____  RWG____  CLG____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID    	AC98-10864/AR1998013412	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990128	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
 2.		
 3.		
 4.		
 5.		
 6.