2.  The applicant requests his DD Form 214s be corrected to show he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze campaign stars, and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) for his World War II service and the Paratrooper (sic) Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Army of Occupation Medal and the Army Good Conduct Medal for his Korean War service.

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

4.  The applicant was inducted into the Army on 24 October 1944.  He served in the Asian-Pacific Theater from 1 May 1945 - 12 September 1946 where he served as a heavy machine gunner.

5.  The applicant’s report of separation dated 5 December 1946 shows he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and that he was involved in one battle - Luzon.  There is no evidence and he has not supplied any to show he was involved in a second battle/campaign.  On 20 March 1991, the Army Reserve Personnel Center authorized him issuance of the CIB and the BSM.

6.  The applicant reenlisted on 2 September 1950 from the Army National Guard. He served as a light weapons infantryman leader.  He was honorably discharged on 15 April 1953.  While the DD Form 214 from that period is almost illegible, the related NGB Form 22 is readable.  It can be made out that the Army of Occupation Medal and the Parachute Badge are listed on the DD Form 214, as they are on the NGB Form 22.  Available evidence shows he was Ranger qualified.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Army Good Conduct Medal is awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active service completed on or after 27 August 1940.  The first award only may be awarded for a shorter-than-3-year period.  It also provides that the eligibility for award of the Ranger Tab is successful completion of a Ranger course conducted by the U.S. Army Infantry School.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  While service records are not available, other sources verify the applicant’s claim to some of the requested awards.  The CIB and the BSM should be added to his World War II report of separation and the Ranger Tab to his Korean War DD Form 214.  

2.  His World War II report of separation only verifies involvement in one battle/campaign and the applicant has not supplied any evidence to show he was in a second battle/campaign.  His Korean War DD Form 214 already shows the Parachute Badge and the Army of Occupation Medal.

3.  The applicant is not entitled to award of the Army Good Conduct Medal for his second period of service as he did not serve for a full 3 years.

4.  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 the report of separation dated 5 December 1946 pertaining to the individual concerned be corrected to add the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star Medal.

2.  That the DD Form 214 dated15 April 1953 be corrected to add the Ranger Tab.

3.  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