PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            21 July 1999      
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999020349

	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. Curtis W. Barbee		Chairperson	
	Mr. James M. Alward		Member	
	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		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 Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

3.  The applicant states that the above mentioned medals/awards were omitted on his discharge papers.  He contends that he has documentation showing entitlement for the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal and the Prisoner of War Medal.  However, he does not have any documentation to support his request for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Good Conduct Medal.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his Honorable Discharge Certificate and recorded copy of his Certificate of Discharge; a copy of DA Form 
1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 28 March 1978, showing entitlement to award of the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge); and a letter, dated 19 May 1988, authorizing award of the Prisoner of War Medal.

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 the applicant was inducted on
31 October 1941.  He served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from 31 May 1942 to 13 August 1943 and was honorably discharged on 8 September 1944. 

5.  The applicant’s recorded copy of his Certificate of Discharge does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Bronze Star Medal or the Good Conduct Medal as authorized awards.  The Board notes the Certificate of Discharge does show the Purple Heart as an authorized award.  Therefore, this award will not be discussed further in the proceedings.

6.  Headquarters 6th Armored Infantry Regiment General Orders Number
2, dated 15 April 1944, awards the applicant the Combat Infantryman Badge.

7.  DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 26 July 1989, shows that the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the Prisoner of War Medal.

8.  DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 28 March 1978, shows that the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge).

9.  There is no evidence in the available records that show the applicant was considered for the first award of the Good Conduct Medal.  There also is no evidence of record that his chain of command took any action to disqualify him from receiving the Good Conduct Medal.  There is no indication of indiscipline or other adverse action in the available records.

10.  DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 3 December 1984, shows that the Army Reserve Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the World War II Victory Medal.  The Board notes this award is also not shown on the applicant’s Certificate of Discharge.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  The regulation states that, after 27 August 1940, three years of qualifying service was required for award of the Good Conduct Medal, but during the World War II era, the first award could be made based on one year of qualifying service provided that service occurred between 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946.  The current standard for award of the Good Conduct Medal is 3 years of qualifying service, but as little as one year is required for the first award in those cases when the period of service ends with the termination of Federal military service.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge) and the World War II Victory Medal.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show these awards.

2.  As an exception to regulation, the applicant is entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal based on completion of a period of qualifying Federal military service (active duty from 31 October 1941 through 8 September 1944).  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this award.

3.  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 Combat Infantryman Badge, the Prisoner of War Medal, the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge), the World War II Victory Medal and the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period of 31 October 1941 through 8 September 1944.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

CWB____  JMA____  RGH____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Curtis W. Barbee______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999020349	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990721	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19440908	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-360  	
DISCHARGE REASON	CDD, Section II	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT PLUS)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0111	
2.	107.0015	
3.	107.0029	
4.	107.0014	
5.	107.0056	
6.