PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           7 October 1998    
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-10430

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Samuel A. Crumpler		Chairperson	
	Mr. James E. Vick		Member	
	Mr. Luther L. Santiful		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 award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

3.  The applicant states that he is entitled to the BSM and it is not shown on his honorable discharge.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of a newspaper article and an award certificate.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 8 April 1941.  He served as an infantryman in the European Theater of Operations from
17 December 1943 through 29 June 1945 and was separated with an honorable discharge on 9 September 1945.  

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) does not show the BSM as an authorized award.  

6.  The applicant submitted a copy of an award certificate, dated 15 July 1952, which shows he was awarded the BSM for meritorious achievement in ground operations against the enemy on 24 July 1944.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the BSM; therefore, he is entitled to this medal.

2.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the BSM.

BOARD VOTE:  

SAC___  JEV_____  LLS_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON