MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:         

	BOARD DATED:            22 March 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:      AR1999028815

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. James M. Alward		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ted S. Kanamine		Member	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		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:  Correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show that he was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal (AOM) with Japan Clasp.

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that his WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the Army of Occupation Medal for Japan.  He also states that he was sent to Japan from Manila on 7 October 1945, arrived at Yokohama aboard the LST (Landing Ship Transport) on 22 October 1945 and served in Japan until 31 January 1946 as part of the occupation force.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of WD AGO Form 289 (Thanksgiving Menu; copy of menu for the Kawana Hotel in Izu, Japan: copy of photographs taken in Japan and a copy of the history of the LST 898.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  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 show he entered active duty on 13 November 1942.  He served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from 24 February 1944 to 25 July 1945 and in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations from 2 September 1945 to 19 January 1946 and was honorably discharged on 16 February 1946.

The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was awarded the European-African-Middle Easter Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon.  His discharge document does not show the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp as an authorized award.

The applicant provided copies of menus, photographs and history of the LST 898
which, he received while serving in Japan.

Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign
Participation Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows the applicant’s unit
(3273rd Signal Service Detachment) did not receive occupation credit for qualifying service in Japan during World War II.

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.  Qualifying service in Japan included service in the Japanese 
home islands, the Ryukyu Islands and the Bonin-Volcano Islands between 
3 September 1945 and 27 April 1952.  Service between 3 September 1945 and 2 March 1946 is qualifying only if the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was earned prior to 3 September 1945.
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.  Evidence provided by the applicant failed to show that he was entitled to or awarded the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp.

2.  The Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Register shows the applicant’s unit did not receive occupation credit for qualifying service in Japan during World War II.  Therefore, he is not entitled to the award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp.

3.  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.

4.  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:

JMA_____  TSK____  AAO____  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

Karl F. Schneider
Director, Army Review Boards Agency

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999028815	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000322	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19460216	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  113		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.