PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:             2 February 2000 
	DOCKET NUMBER:    AR1999021668

	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.  

	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		Member	
	Mr. Lester Echols		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 Bronze Star Medal and the Ranger Tab. 

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he served as one of the original “Merrill’s Marauders” in World War II (5307th Composite Unit Provisional) and is entitled to the Bronze Star Medal and the Ranger Tab.  In support of his application, he submits orders for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge; a 28 September 1998 letter from the Merrill’s Marauders Association, Inc., to the Coordination Council for North American Affairs requesting favorable consideration for the award of the Chinese War Memorial Medal on behalf of the applicant; an excerpt from the Burman News pertaining to the Bronze Star Medal and the Ranger Tab; a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation); a document titled “Merrill’s Marauders”; and a letter of explanation dated 
28 September 1998.   

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 enlisted on 17 June 1942.  He served as a rifleman in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from 31 January 1943 to
29 October 1944 and was honorably discharged on 14 October 1945.   

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the Bronze Star Medal or the Ranger Tab as authorized awards.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 does show the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.

6.  The applicant provided a letter, dated 28 September 1998, from the Executive Secretary of the Merrill’s Marauder’s Association, Inc., which states “We certify that the above named solder [applicant], as a member of the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), 3rd Bn [battalion], Orange Combat Team, engaged in combat action against the Japanese Army in Northern Burma during the period - February 1, 1944 to May 28th, 1944.” 

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.  

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, sets forth the requirements for award of the Ranger Tab.  The Ranger Tab is awarded for successful completion of a Ranger Course conducted by the U.S. Army Infantry School or the Ranger Training Command or award of the Combat Infantryman Badge while serving in World War II as a member of a Ranger Battalion (1st to 6th inclusive) or in the 5307th Composite Unit (Merrill’s Marauders).

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show award of the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge).

2.  Evidence of record also shows the applicant was a member of the
5307th Composite Unit (Provisional) during World War II.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show award of the Ranger Tab.

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 by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge) and the Ranger Tab.

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF____  JEA_____  LE______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Calvin M. Fowler______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999021668	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000202	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19451014	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Convenience of the Government	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0014	
2.	107.0123	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.