PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                28 October 1998
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AC98-06372

	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. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. JoAnn H. Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. Curtis W. Barbee, Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		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 correction of his records to show credit for the “Algiers Campaign” (correctly called the Algeria-French Morocco Campaign) during World War II.

3.  The applicant states he served in Algiers.  He also states that all of the campaigns, in which he served, are on his discharge except the Algiers Campaign. 

4.  The applicant’s military records were destroyed or lost in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show the applicant entered active duty on 24 October 1940.  He served in the European Theater of Operations from 6 September 1942 to 14 June 1945.  

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) shows “Tunisia; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; North Appenines” as the entries in item 32 (Battles and Campaigns).  The Algeria-French Morocco Campaign which occurred from 8 to 11 November 1942 is not shown on his discharge. 

6.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows campaign credit for units which served in World War II.  This document shows that the 3373rd Quartermaster Truck Company, to which the applicant was assigned during World War II, did not receive campaign credit for the Algeria-French Morocco Campaign.

7.  The Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register shows the applicant’s unit received credit for the Po Valley Campaign which is not shown under item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) on his discharge.

8.  The Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register also shows the applicant’s unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for the period 9 January to 11 March 1945 based on Headquarters 5th Army General Order Number 52, dated 12 May 1946.  Records show the applicant was assigned to the 3373rd Quartermaster Truck Company during the period it was cited for the Meritorious Unit Commendation.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service medal.  The regulation also provides that a silver service star is worn in lieu of five bronze service stars.
10.  Army Regulation 670-1, in pertinent part, states that the Meritorious Unit Commendation is authorized for permanent wear by an individual who was assigned and present for duty with the unit at any time during the period cited or who was attached to and present for duty with the unit for at least 30 consecutive days of the period cited.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The unit to which the applicant was assigned at the time in question did not receive credit for the Algiers-French Morocco Campaign; therefore, the applicant is not entitled to credit for that campaign.

2.  The applicant was a member of the 3373rd Quartermaster Truck Company when it received campaign credit for the Po Valley Campaign.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show this campaign in item 
32 of his discharge and five bronze service stars to be worn on his European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon.  (Note: One silver service star is worn in lieu of five bronze service stars.)

3.  The applicant was a member of the 3373rd Quartermaster Truck Company when it was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation; therefore, he is entitled to permanent wear of the Meritorious Unit Commendation and is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

4. In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:

a.  by showing in item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of the WD AGO Form 53-55 of the individual concerned that he was credited with participation in the Po Valley Campaign;

b.  by showing in item 33 (Decorations and Citations) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 that he is entitled to the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with one silver service star; and 

c.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. 

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

BOARD VOTE:  

JHL_____  CWB____  RVO____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON