PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            28 July 1999                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999019102

	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. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Ms. Lana E. McGlynn 		Member	
	Ms. Margaret V. Thompson 		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 military records to show award of the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was a POW for approximately 
11 ½ months and that he is entitled to the POW Medal, CIB and the BSM.  In support of his application, he submits a Veterans Affairs Rating Decision, dated
3 June 1998 and a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation). 

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 was inducted on
8 October 1943.  He served as a heavy mortar crewman in the European Theater of Operations from 16 April 1944 through 13 May 1945 and was honorably discharged on 25 November 1945.

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the POW Medal, the CIB or the BSM as authorized awards.

6.  DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 24 May 1988, shows the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the POW Medal.

7.  The available records show the applicant was assigned to Company M,
18th Infantry Regiment serving in military occupational specialty (MOS) 1607 (heavy mortar crewman).  His Final Payment Work Sheet shows he was entitled to combat infantry pay.  

8.  DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 5 August 1997, shows the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.  The Board notes this award is not shown on the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55.

9.  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.  

10.  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.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the POW Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this medal.

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served in an infantry MOS, was assigned to an infantry regiment and received combat infantry pay during World War II.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the CIB.   

3.  The applicant was awarded the CIB during World War II; therefore, he is entitled to award of the BSM (based on award of the CIB).

4.  The applicant was awarded the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this award.

5.  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 showing that the individual concerned was awarded the POW Medal, the CIB, the BSM (based on award of the CIB) and the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.

BOARD VOTE:  

FNE_____  LEM____  MVT____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Fred N. Eichorn_______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999019102	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990728	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19451125	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Demobilization	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0029	
2.	107.0111	
3.	107.0014	
4.		
5.		
6.