PROCEEDINGS

IN THE CASE OF:
                                                   
BOARD DATE:                           25 November 1998   
DOCKET NUMBER:                  AC98-12167

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	
	Mr. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

The following members, a quorum, were present:
	Mr. James E. Vick		Chairperson	
	Mr. John N. Slone		Member	
	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		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 based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and any other awards to which he is entitled for his service during World War II.
3.  The applicant states he would like his discharge corrected to show all of his awards and decorations.  In support of is application, he provides a copy of his WD AGO 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) and his WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record).
4.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted on 28 May 1943.  He served in the European Theater of Operations from 17 October 1944 to 14 March 1946 and was honorably discharged on 30 March 1946.
5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  However, his discharge does not show the Bronze Star Medal based on award of Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.  The Board also notes the applicant is entitled to award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp and the World War II Victory Medal which are not shown on his discharge document.
6.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows, among other information, occupation credit during World War II.  This document shows the 157th Infantry received occupation credit for the period 2 May 1945 to 14 August 1945.  Records show the applicant was a member of this unit during that period and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal was awarded to him in 1944. 
7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) also provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy.  The Bronze Star Medal is authorized for each individual who was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 or whose achievement or service, during that period, was confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947.  An award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge is considered to be a citation in orders.  This means, in effect, that the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized either badge for service during World War II.
8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Army of Occupation Medal is awarded for service of thirty consecutive days at a normal post of duty in a qualifying location.  Personnel at a qualifying location as an inspector, courier, escort, temporary or detached duty are precluded from eligibility.  For Germany, qualifying service must have been between 9 May 1945 and 5 May 1955 and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal must have been awarded prior to 9 May 1945.
9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the World War II Victory Medal.  It is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.
CONCLUSIONS:
1.  The applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his records to show this award.
2.  The applicant was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp and the World War II Victory Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.
3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the individual concerned the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his records to show this award and the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp and the World War II Victory Medal.
BOARD VOTE:  
JEV_____  JNS_____  RVO____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

CHAIRPERSON

INDEX
CASE ID	AC98-12167/AR1998012304	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19981125	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.