PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                 2 February 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999025155

	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. Joyce A. Wright		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, in effect, correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show that he served in North Africa and to show all battles and campaigns to which he is entitled.

3.  The applicant states that he arrived in North Africa on 19 February 1943 and served in Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.  He also states that his WD AGO Form 53-55 does not reflect his service in North Africa.  In support of his application he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 and three character references.

4.  The applicant’s military records were destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show that he entered active duty on 13 July 1942 as a medium tank driver (2736).  He served in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations from 19 February 1943 to 12 November 1943 and in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from 26 November 1943 to 1 October 1945 and was honorably discharged on 16 October 1945.

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was awarded the Distinguished Unit Badge, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze service star and one silver service star, the Good Conduct Medal and the Belgian Fourragere.  His discharge document does not show any additional bronze service stars.

6.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operation and participated in the Ardennes, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Sicily
Campaigns.  The Board notes that he is entitled to the Algeria-French Morocco
Campaign which occurred from 8 November 1942 to 11 November 1942, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp and the World War II Victory Medal are not shown on his WD AGO Form 53-55.

7.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows the applicant’s unit 
(Company D, 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Armored Division) received occupation credit for qualifying service in Germany from 4 June 1945 to 27 December 1945.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, provides, in pertinent part, that the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is awarded for service within the European African-Middle Eastern Theater between 7 December 1941 and 8 November 1945.  This medal is awarded to any service member who was permanently assigned in the theater, who was in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or who was 

in active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration, or who was furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps or higher unit or independent force showing that he actually participated in combat.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal for qualifying service in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations for the period 7 December 1941 to 8 November 1945.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also authorizes a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation or listed in item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of the WD AGO Form 53-55.  The regulation states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate campaign or service medal including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.  

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Army of Occupation Medal is awarded for service of thirty consecutive days at a normal post of duty in a qualifying location.  Personnel at a qualifying location as an inspector, courier, escort, temporary or detached duty are precluded from eligibility.  For Germany service must have been between 9 May 1945 and 5 May
1955 and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal must have been awarded prior to 9 May 1945.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the World War II Victory Medal.  It is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant is entitled to the Algeria-French Morocco Campaign for his service in North Africa.  Therefore, he is entitled to one additional bronze service star for a total of two bronze service stars and one silver service star to be worn on his European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and is entitled to correction of item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show the Algeria-French Morocco Campaign.

2.  Award of the Algerian-French-Morocco Campaign Medal shows the applicant’s service in North Africa.

3.  The applicant was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp and is entitled to the World War II Victory Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his record to show these awards.

4.  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 in item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) that he participated in the Algeria-French Morocco Campaign and in item 33 (Decorations and Awards) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 that he was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars and one silver service star, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp and the World War II Victory Medal. 

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF_____  JEA____  LE______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Calvin M. Fowler______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999025155	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000202	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19451016	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  46		
2.  106		
3. 112		
4.		
5.		
6.