PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                 1 July 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999015511

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. JoAnn H. Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. Fred K. McCoy		Member	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		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 Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

3.  The applicant states that he was shipped to France as a military policeman (MP).  However, during the Battle of the Bulge, he was transferred to the 
359th Infantry and experienced combat as an infantryman.

4.  The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fine of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show he was inducted on 23 August 1943.  He served as a supply clerk in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from 23 August 1944 to 26 February 1946 and was honorably discharged on 13 March 1946.

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the CIB or BSM as authorized awards.

6.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Report and Report of Separation) shows he was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with two bronze service stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart and the World War II Victory Medal.

7.  There is no indication in the available records that show he was awarded an infantry military occupational specialty (MOS), that he served in an infantry duty position or that he was awarded the CIB.  

8.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that, while in the European- African-Middle Eastern Theater, he served as a supply clerk in MOS number (835) with the 718th Engineer Depot Company.  

9.  There is no indication in the available records to show that he was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows the applicant’s unit
(718th Engineer Depot Company) received occupation credit for qualifying service in Germany from 20 May 1945 to 15 August 1945.

11.  War Department Circular 269-1943 established the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge to recognize and provide an incentive to infantrymen.  The Expert Infantryman Badge was to be awarded for attainment of certain proficiency standards or by satisfactory performance of duty in action against the enemy.  The Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy.  War Department Circular 186-1944 further provided that the Combat Infantryman Badge was to be awarded only to infantrymen serving with infantry units of brigade, regimental or smaller size
Additionally, World War II holders of the Combat Infantryman Badge received a monthly pay supplement known as combat infantry pay and holders of the Expert Infantryman Badge were entitled to expert infantry pay.  Therefore, soldiers had economic as well as intangible reasons to ensure that their records were correct. Thus, pay records are frequently the best available source to verify entitlement to this award.  The Awards Branch, Total Army Personnel Command, has advised in similar cases that, during World War II, the Combat Infantryman Badge was normally awarded only to enlisted individuals who served in the following positions:

    a.  Light machine gunner (604)
    b.  Heavy machine gunner (605)
    c.  Platoon sergeant (651)
    d.  Squad leader (653)
    e.  Rifleman (745)
    f.  Automatic rifleman (746)
    g.  Heavy weapons NCO (812)
    h.  Gun crewman (864)

12.   Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant served as a supply clerk while serving in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater.  Therefore, he is not eligible for award of the CIB.

2.  There is no evidence of record, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal; therefore, he is not entitled to this award.  

3.  The applicant was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.  Therefore, his records should be corrected to show this award.

4.  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 in item 33 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 that he was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.

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

JHL_____  FKM____  SK______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		JoAnn H. Langston_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999015511	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990701	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19460313	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1. 60		
2.  157		
3.  113		
4.		
5.		
6.