MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           27 May 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999023879

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration 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. Edward Williamson		Chairperson	
	Ms. Meta Waller		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  In effect, correction of his WD AGO 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show that he was separated in the pay grade of E-6/SSG instead of E-3.

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that he was promoted to SSG, which was a field promotion in the vicinity of Venlo, Holland, in March 1945.  He also states that his promotion was never forwarded to battalion headquarters; however, he continued to perform the duties of SSG until his departure from the European Theater of Operation.  In support of his application he submits a letter from his platoon sergeant.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

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 inducted on 17 December 1942.  He served as a rifleman in the European African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from 3 November 1944 to 17 December 1945 and was honorably discharged on 4 January 1946.

The applicant’s WD AGO 53-55 shows he was awarded the Purple Heart, the
American Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the European African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Marksmanship Qualification Badge (Rifle) and the 
Expert Qualification Badge (Carbine and BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle)). 

A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 10 January 1991, shows the Army Reserve Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the CIB.

The applicant’s WD AGO 53-55, which is authenticated in his own hands, shows in item 38 the entry PFC. 

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  There is no evidence in the available records to show that he was advanced higher than pay grade E-3 prior to his discharge.  Therefore, there is no basis to correct his WD AGO 53-55.

2.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the
aforementioned requirement.
3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

EW_____  MW_____  KLW____  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999023879	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990527	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19460104	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1  100.		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.