2.  The applicant requests that he be promoted in rank from Private First Class.  He states that he was a prisoner of war (POW) from 1 February 1944 - 30 April 1945 and that POWs were to receive a one grade promotion.

3.  The applicant’s military records are not available.  The information contained herein was obtained from alternate sources.

4.  The applicant was inducted into the Army on 15 April 1943.  He arrived in the European Theater on 21 October 1943 where he served with Company A, 30th Infantry as a rifleman and number one scout.  He was wounded in action and captured on 1 February 1944.  He served 15 months as a POW prior to liberation.

5.  The applicant was separated on 10 October 1945.  His report of separation shows his grade as Private.  He had been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.

6.  Department of the Army announced via message in September 1945 that enlisted soldiers below the grade of master sergeant who had been absent from military control, under honorable conditions, for 18 months or longer in a POW status and had not received a one grade promotion since returning to military control could be advanced one grade by their immediate commander.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Bronze Star Medal may be awarded to soldiers who have been cited in orders for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy between 7 December 1941 and            2 September 1945, inclusive.  For this purpose, an award of the Combat Infantryman Badge is considered as a citation in orders.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence in the applicant’s records and from his application show he was a POW for only 15 months; therefore, he did not meet the criteria as outlined in the September 1945 Department of the Army message authorizing former POWs a one grade promotion.

2.  There is evidence in the applicant’s personnel records to show he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, therefore entitling him to award of the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  In view of the foregoing, it would be in the interest of justice to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records pertaining to the individual concerned be corrected to show he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

                                                                      
    CHAIRPERSON