MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            27 January 2000   
	DOCKET NUMBER:    AR1999028009

	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.

	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		Member	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr.		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:  Award of the Combat Medical Badge.

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that he is entitled to the Combat Medical Badge for his actions while under fire for 141 days during World War II.  In support of his application, he submits a letter of explanation dated 23 April 1999, an excerpt from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Magazine dated September 1998 and a Certificate of Appreciation from the People of The City of Antwerp dated
4 September 1945.

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

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 shown that the applicant enlisted on 
13 August 1942.  He served as a dental technician in the European Theater of Operations from 4 December 1943 to 15 December 1945 and was honorably discharged on 9 January 1946. 

The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show the Combat Medical Badge as an authorized award.

There are no orders in the available records which show the applicant was awarded the Combat Medical Badge.  

The applicant’s War Department Form 372 B (Final Payment – Work Sheet) does not show that he received medical badge pay.

The applicant’s WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record) shows the applicant served with medical detachment 578TH Quartermaster Battalion and Headquarters 13th Port Company in the European Theater of Operations and his military occupational specialty (MOS) was dental technician (855).        

The applicant provided a Certificate of Appreciation from the People of The City of Antwerp, dated 4 September 1945, for his work in the Port of Antwerp during the 175 days of continuous enemy air and V-weapon attacks between 7 October 1944 and 30 March 1945. 

Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy.

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.  The Board noted the applicant’s contention that he is entitled to the Combat Medical Badge for his actions while under fire for 141 days during World War II and the Certificate of Appreciation provided with the application.  However, there is no evidence available to the Board which shows the applicant was assigned to a medical unit which was organic to an infantry unit as required for award of the Combat Medical Badge during World War II.  There also is no evidence he was awarded or otherwise qualified for award of the Combat Medical Badge.  Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to award of the Combat Medical Badge.

2.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily 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

INW_____  SK______  EJA____  DENY APPLICATION

						Karl F. Schneider
						Director, Army Review Boards Agency

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999028009	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000127	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19460109	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365   	
DISCHARGE REASON	Convenience of the Government 	
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0113	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.