PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           17 February 1999                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1998013939

	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. Charles H. Lounderman		Chairperson	
	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Member	
	Mr. John Saputo		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 that his records be corrected to show award of the Combat Medical Badge, the United Nations Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal for Japan, the Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and, the Purple Heart.  Also, he would like his records to show his original service number.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was medically discharged and unable to have his records corrected at the time.

4.  The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Information herein was obtained from reconstructed personnel records.

5.  The applicant enlisted on 6 August 1948.  He completed his required training and was awarded military occupational specialty 657 (Medical Aidman) and later 0409 (Hospital Technician).  During the period February 1949 to March 1950, he served in Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, Japan.  During the period August 1950 to February 1951, he served in Korea.

6.  On 18 September 1952, as a result of being wounded in action on 
13 February 1951, the applicant was honorably discharged under Army Regulation 600-450, based on a physical disability and awarded severance pay in the amount of $1,100.72.

7.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States), with an effective date of 18 September 1952 shows award of the Combat Medical Badge and the Korean Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars and the correct service number.

8.  The applicant’s records show his entitlement to award of the United Nations Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal for Japan, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and the Purple Heart.

9.  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.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Army of Occupation Medal is awarded for service of thirty consecutive days at a normal post of duty in a qualifying location.  Personnel at a qualifying location as an inspector, courier, escort, temporary or detached duty are precluded from eligibility.  Qualifying service in Japan included service in the Japanese home islands, the Ryukyu Islands and the Bonin-Volcano Islands between 3 September 1945 and 27 April 1952.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 July 1950 through 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 through 14 August 1974, and 2 August 1990 through 30 November 1995.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the PUC (known as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966) is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) indicates that the 2d Infantry Division was not awarded the PUC during the applicant’s assignment with the unit.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart is awarded for a wound sustained as a result of hostile action.  Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that the wound was the result of hostile action, the wound must have required treatment, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant’s entitlement to award of the United Nations Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal for Japan, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and, the Purple Heart.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal for Japan, the National Defense Service Medal, the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and, the Purple Heart.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied 

BOARD VOTE:  

CHL____  FNE_____  JS______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998013939	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990217	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19520918	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR600-450	
DISCHARGE REASON	Physical Disability with Severance Pay	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.107	Multiple awards	
2.100	Administrative changes (SN)	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.