PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               14 January 1999               
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AC98-08842
                                                 AR1998013988

	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	
	Ms. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Ms. Shirley L. Powell		Member	
	Ms. Kathleen A. Newman 		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, as the next of kin of the deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of his father’s WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show award of the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The next of kin of the FSM states that his father did not receive the Bronze Star Medal.

4.  The FSM’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 that the FSM was inducted on 25 March 1941 and completed training as an cannoneer.  He served in New Guinea from 31 May 1944 to 2 September 1945 and was honorably discharged on 3 October 1945.

5.  The FSM’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the Bronze Star Medal as an authorized award.  Therefore, the Bronze Star Medal is not further discussed in this proceeding.  The Board notes that the FSM is entitled to award of the American Campaign Medal, the Philippine Independence Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation which are not shown on his discharge document.

6.  A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 13 February 1997, in the FSM’s records shows he was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Philippine Independence Ribbon, and the World War II Victory Medal.

7.  The FSM was awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order 47, dated 1950.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the FSM was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Philippine Independence Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.  Therefore, the FSM is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the FSM concerned was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Philippine Independence Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  SLP_____  KAN____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AC98-08842/AR1998013988	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990114	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.