PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           16 December 1999                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999024278

	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	
	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred K. McCoy		Chairperson	
	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		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 that his Report of Separation be corrected to add “Morotai” to block 32; that “with 1 bronze star” be added to the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal; and that the Philippine Liberation Medal be added.

3.  The applicant states that he did not realize such information was of value until he tried to apply for the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross and was denied because his discharge failed to show “with 1 bronze star” with the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal.  Supporting document is as listed on the DD Form 149.

4.  The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire in 1973.  The information contained was obtained from information provided by the applicant.

5.  The applicant was inducted into the Army on 17 May 1943.  He arrived in the Western Pacific Theater of Operations on 18 May 1944 with the 785th Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) Automatic Weapons Battalion.

6.  A summary of the unit’s history shows it arrived in New Guinea in May 1944 and on Morotai on 16 September 1944.  General Orders 2, Headquarters, 785th 
AAA Automatic Weapons Battalion, dated 23 February 1945 authorizes the applicant and other members of the unit to wear one bronze star on the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Service Ribbon.  There is no evidence available to show the applicant was involved in the liberation of the Philippines.  He departed the Western Pacific Theater of Operations on 17 January 1946 and was separated on 9 February 1946.  His Report of Separation, block 32, Battles and Campaigns lists New Guinea and block 33, Decorations and Citations lists the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, Table B-1 does not list “Morotai” as an authorized World War II Asiatic-Pacific Theater campaign.  A review of available maps indicates it was most likely included in the parameters of the New Guinea campaign.  This regulation also provides that the Philippine Liberation Ribbon is awarded for service in the liberation of the Philippines from 17 October 1944 to 3 September 1945.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant had been authorized to wear one bronze star on the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Service Ribbon (Medal).

2.  There is no evidence of record and the applicant does not provide any to show he served in the liberation of the Philippines and so there is no evidence to show he is entitled to award of the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

3.  A “Morotai” campaign is not listed as an authorized World War II Asiatic-Pacific Theater campaign.  Due to its geographical location it was most likely included in the New Guinea campaign parameters, for which the applicant has been credited.

4.  In view of the foregoing, it would be in the interest of justice to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by amending the applicant’s Report of Separation, block 33, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal to read Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with 1 bronze star.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__fkm___  __rvo___  ___sk___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Fred K. McCoy
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999024278	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19991216	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00764	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.