PROCEEDINGS

IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:               24 March 1999 
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AR1999022120

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James E. Vick		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		Member	
	Mr. Allen L. Raub		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, in effect, that his records be corrected to show that 
he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge (CMB).

3.  The applicant states that he was a combat medic and was never issued orders for the CMB.  He also states that he served in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe Campaigns.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation).

4.  The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show he was in inducted on 25 August 1942.  He served as a light truck driver in the European African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from 16 December 1943 to 11 November 1945 and was honorably discharged on 4 December 1945.

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO 53-55 shows he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Meritorious Unit Award, the American Campaign Medal, the European African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with five bronze service stars, and the Driver and Mechanics Badge.  

6.  A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 14 May 1984, 
shows the Army Reserve Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to a silver service star in lieu of five bronze service stars to be worn on his European African-Middle Eastern Service Medal.

7.  The applicant’s record does not show the CMB as an authorized award.

8. The applicant’s records show that, while serving in the European Theater of 
Operation, he served as a light truck driver military occupational specialty (345) with the 454th Medical Collecting Company.  However, there is no evidence to show that he served in a medical specialty, in a medical unit supporting an infantry unit, and in ground combat as required by regulation to qualify for award of the CMB.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Medical Badge is awarded to medical department personnel (colonel and below) who are assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size which is engaged
in active ground combat.

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows the applicant’s unit (454th Medical Collecting Company) received occupation credit for qualifying service in Germany from 2 May 1945 to 31 October 1945.
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence or record shows that the applicant served as a light truck driver during World War II.  There is no evidence to show that he served in a medical specialty or was involved in ground combat.  Therefore, he is not eligible for award of the Combat Medical Badge.

2.  The applicant is entitled to the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.  Therefore, his records should be corrected 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:

	a.  by showing in item 33 of his WD AGO 53-55 that he was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp; and

	b.  by showing in item 33 of his WD AGO 53-55 that he was awarded the 
European African-Middle Eastern Medal with a silver service star. 

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

BOARD VOTE:  

JEV_____  RWA____  ALR____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		James E. Vick_________
		CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999022120	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990324 	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.