PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            22 July 1999      
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999020082

	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. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas N. Kuhn		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		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 separation document to show credit for the Bismarck Archipelago Campaign and to show New Britain instead of “Gr. Britain” [Great Britain]. 

3.  The applicant states that he made the landing at Arawe, New Britain, with Company K, 158th Regiment Combat Team on 23 February 1944.  He also contends that his separation document incorrectly shows Great Britain instead of New Britain.  In support of his application, he submits a letter of explanation and a recorded 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 he was inducted on 28 September 1942.  He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from 4 November 1942 until 
20 June 1944 and was honorably discharged on 19 March 1945.

5.  A recorded copy of the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 indicates that he did not participate in any campaigns and that he served in “Gr. Britain” from
23 February 1944 until 20 June 1944.   

6.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows the applicant’s unit (Company K, 158th Infantry) was authorized occupation credit for the Bismarck Archipelago Campaign in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from 15 December 1943 through 27 November 1944. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s unit was authorized occupation credit for the Bismarck Archipelago Campaign from 15 December 1943 through 27 November 1944.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show participation in this campaign. 

2.  The Bismarck Archipelago Campaign occurred in New Britain, not Great Britain.  Therefore, it would be in the interest of justice to correct the recorded copy of the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 at this time to show “New Britain” instead of “Gr. Britain”.   
. 
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: 

a.  by showing campaign credit for the “Bismarck Archipelago” on the recorded copy of the WD AGO Form 53-55 of the individual concerned; and 

b.  by deleting “Gr. Britain” and adding “New Britain” on his recorded copy of the WD AGO Form 53-55.

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF_____  TNK____  RJW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Calvin M. Fowler______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999020082	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990722	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19450319	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-361  	
DISCHARGE REASON	CDD	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	113	
2.	100.0000	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.