PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                24 February 2000              
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999028391

	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. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Celia L. Adolphi		Chairperson	
	Mr. James P. Huber		Member	
	Ms. Margaret V. Thompson		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 correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show award of the Silver Star.

3.  The applicant states that the Silver Star was omitted from his records.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 and a memorandum, dated 16 December 1952.

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 that he was inducted on 18 May 1942. He served as a medical noncommissioned officer (NCO) in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from November 1942 to April 1945 and was honorably discharged on 23 June 1945.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the Silver Star as an authorized award.

5.  Records available to the Board contain an AGO Form 01102 (Officer Selected to Present Decoration) which shows the applicant was cited for award of the Silver Star by Headquarters, 3rd Infantry Division General Orders Number 227, dated 25 June 1945.  The AGO Form 01102 also shows that the applicant received the Silver Star in an awards ceremony hosted by the Commanding General of Fifth United States Army.

6.  The Board notes that the applicant is entitled to the Combat Medical Badge, the Presidential Unit Citation and the World War II Victory Medal which are not shown on his discharge document.

7.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant held a medical military occupational specialty (MOS) while he was assigned to the Medical Detachment, 15th Infantry Regiment.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows the unit to which the applicant was assigned to, 15th Infantry Regiment, was cited for the Presidential Unit Citation for actions during the period 22 January 1945 – 6 February 1945 by War Department General Order 44-45.

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.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Presidential Unit Citation (known as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966) is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action.  A unit must display such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.  

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.  Evidence available to the Board shows the applicant was awarded the Silver Star; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

2.  The applicant’s unit was cited for award of the Presidential Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show the Presidential Unit Citation.

3.  The applicant served as a medical NCO while he was assigned to an infantry unit; therefore, he is entitled to award of the Combat Medical Badge.

4.  Based on the applicant’s dates of service from 18 May 1942 to 23 June 1945, he is entitled to award of the World War II Victory Medal.

5.  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 the individual concerned was awarded the Silver Star, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Medical Badge and the World War II Victory Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

CLA____  JPH_____  MVT___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Celia L. Adolphi______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999028391	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000224 	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.