PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            12 May 1999       
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999017374

	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. George D. Paxson		Chairperson	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Member	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		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 Army of Occupation Medal (Japan Clasp), the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal (correctly known as the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal), the Good Conduct Medal, the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge and the Honorable Service Lapel (World War II) Button (correctly known as the Honorable Service Lapel Button (World War II)). 

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) does not show any medals or decorations.  He contends that he served in the Army from 12 May 1945 to 6 January 1947 and served in occupied Japan after the war, therefore should be entitled to the aforementioned medals and decorations.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55. 

4.  The applicant’s military records were destroyed or lost during 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
5 November 1945, served as a truck driver in Japan from 29 October 1945 to
3 December 1945 and was honorably discharged on 6 January 1947. 

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan Clasp), the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, the Good Conduct Medal or the Honorable Service Lapel Button (World War II) as authorized awards.  The Board notes that item 31 (Military Qualification and Date) of the WD AGO Form 53-55 shows “Rifle M-1 Sharpshooter”.  Therefore, the Rifle Sharpshooter Badge will not be discussed further in the proceedings.     

6.  The applicant’s records contain a DD Form 215 (Correction to Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), dated 25 March 1999, showing he was entitled to the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and the first award of the Good Conduct Medal.  Therefore, these awards are not discussed further.

7.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he served in Japan from
29 October 1945 to 3 December 1945. 

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.  Qualifying service in Japan included service in the Japanese home islands, the Ryukyu Islands and the  Bonin-Volcano Islands between 3 September 1945 and 27 April 1952.  Service between 3 September 1945 and 2 March 1946 is qualifying only if the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was earned prior to 3 September 1945.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Honorable Service Lapel Button (World War II) is awarded for honorable Federal military service between 8 September 1939 and 31 December 1946. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant served in Japan from 29 October 1945 to 3 December 1945 and was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal for that period.

2.  However, in accordance with the governing regulation, service between
3 September 1945 and 2 March 1946 is qualifying for award of the Army Occupation Medal (Japan Clasp) only if the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was earned prior to 3 September 1945.  Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to award of the Army Occupation Medal (Japan Clasp).
 
3.  The applicant served a period of qualifying service (5 November 1945 to 6 January 1947) for award of the Honorable Service Lapel Button (World War II).  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records 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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Honorable Service Lapel Button (World War II).

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

BOARD VOTE:  

GDP____  AAO____  JEA_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		George D. Paxson_____
		CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999017374	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990512	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19470106	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-362  	
DISCHARGE REASON	DEPENDENCY	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.