PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               10 November 1998               
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AC98-09273

	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. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Ms. Irene E. Wheelwright		Member	
	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		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 award of the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three “battle stars” (correctly known as bronze service stars), two Overseas Service Bars and the French Croix de Guerre.

3.  The applicant states that these awards were omitted from his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) and prevented him from receiving the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross.  In support of his application, the applicant submits a copy of WD AGO Form 100 (Civilian Occupations) and a photocopy of his Bronze Star Medal.

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 that the applicant enlisted on 19 June 1942 and completed training as a truck driver.  He completed assignments overseas and in the United States and was honorably separated on 9 October 1945.

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, two Overseas Service Bars or the French Croix de Guerre as authorized awards.  His discharge document does show the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with no bronze service stars. The Board notes that the applicant is entitled to award of the French Fourragere and the Distinguished Unit Citation which are not shown on his discharge document.

6.  A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 1 August 1986, in the applicant’s records shows that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

7.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) shows that the applicant served in Southern France, Rhineland, and Rome-Arno campaigns.

8.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 item 36 (Service Outside Continental U.S. and Return) shows the applicant served in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations from 1 February 1944 to 13 August 1944 and in the European Theater of Operations from 15 August 1944 to 19 May 1945.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows that the applicant was assigned to a unit which was awarded the French Fourragere by Department of the Army General Order Number 43-50.

10.  The applicant was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation by War Department General Order Number 44-45.

11.  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.

12.  Army Regulation 670-1, in effect at the time, governs the requirements for the Oversea Service Bar.  In pertinent part, it provides that a bar is authorized for wear for each period of active Federal service as a member of the U.S. Army outside of the continental limits of the United States. There are special provisions regarding authorization for the Overseas Service Bar for service in a hostile fire zone and for combining service to calculate award of the bars.

13.  In a 28 March 1983 letter, the U.S. Army Military Personnel Center published the policy regarding awards of the French Croix de Guerre to U.S. Army veterans who had served in World War I and World War II.  Essentially, this guidance states that there is no individual emblem presented to or worn by Army soldiers who were in a unit cited by the French Government for the Croix de Guerre.  Thus, former members of any American units which appear in Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Credit Register) are not authorized an individual device. 

14.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides for award of the French Fourragere as an approved foreign unit award.  The French Fourragere may be awarded by the French Government when a unit has been cited twice for award of the French Croix de Guerre.  When a unit is cited twice for the Croix de Guerre, then the colors of the fourragere are red and green.  Award of the fourragere is not automatic and requires a decree by the French Government, and persons who were only in one action are not authorized to wear the fourragere.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

2.  Based on his completion of qualifying service in three campaigns, the applicant is entitled to three bronze service stars to be worn on the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars).

3.  Evidence of record shows the applicant completed two overseas tours; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show two Overseas Service Bars.

4.  The applicant was assigned to a unit which was cited twice for the French Croix de Guerre; therefore; he is entitled to award of the French Fourragere.

5. The applicant was a member of a unit awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

6.  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 by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, two Overseas Service Bars, the French Fourragere, and the Distinguished Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF____  IEW_____  MKP___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON