PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:            

	BOARD DATE:                 8 March 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1999029064

	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. Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr.		Member	
	Mr. Ernest W. Lutz, Jr.		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 item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) be corrected to show that he received credit for the Anzio Campaign.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows no participation in the invasion at Anzio and that his group was the first in.  He also states that the Anzio Campaign is not listed in item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of his WD AGO Form 53-55.  He further states that he is a former Prisoner of War (POW) and that about four weeks before he was captured he received a field promotion to sergeant (SGT), which occurred during the invasion of the Anzio Campaign and was performed by a commissioned officer.  He goes on to state that item 3 (Grade) the entry “PFC” (Private First Class/Grade 6) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 is incorrect and that he earned his promotion to “SGT” (Sergeant/Technician 4th Grade).  In support of his application he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55.

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 was inducted 28 January 1943 as a machine gunner heavy.  He served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from 25 June 1943 to 4 June 1945 and was honorably discharged on 19 October 1945.

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars.  His
discharge document does not show any additional bronze service stars.

6.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he that he served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and participated in the 
Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno and Central Europe Campaigns.  The Board notes that he is entitled to credit for participation in the Anzio Campaign, which occurred from 22 January 1944 to 24 May 1945.

7.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55, which is authenticated in his own hands, shows in item 38 (Highest Grade Held) the entry “PFC” (Private First Class/Grade 6).  His discharge document also shows in item 3 (Grade) the entry “PFC” (Private First Class/Grade 6).

8.  A DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 25 May 1989, shows the Army Personnel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, determined the applicant was entitled to the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal.

9.  The Board notes that he is entitled to the World War II Victory Medal and the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 28 January 1943 through 19 October 1945 which is not shown on his discharge document.
10.  There is no indication in the available records that show he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  There is no evidence of derogatory information contained in the available records.

11.  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.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation or in item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of his WD AGO 53-55.
The Regulation also states authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate service or campaign medal and that one silver service star will be awarded in lieu of five bronze service stars.

13.  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.

14.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service.  The regulation states that, after 27 August 1940, three years of qualifying service was required for award of the Good Conduct Medal, but during the World War II era, the first award could be made based on one year of qualifying service provided that service occurred between 7 December 1941 to 2 March 1946.  After 27 June 1950 to the present time, the current standard for award of the Good Conduct Medal is 3 years of qualifying service, but as little as one year is required for the first award in those cases when the period of service ends with the termination of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.  

CONCLUSIONS:

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

2.  There is no evidence in the available records to show that he was advanced higher than PFC (Private First Class)/Grade 6) prior to his discharge.  Therefore, there is no basis to correct item 3 (Grade) of his WD AGO 53-55.

3.  The applicant was awarded the POW Medal.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show this award.

4.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was eligible for award of the World War II Victory Medal and was entitled to the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 28 January 1943 through 19 October 1945
based on completion of a period of qualifying service ending with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

5.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1. 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 Anzio Campaign and in item 33 (Decorations and Awards) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 that the individual concerned was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver service star, the POW Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the first award of the Good Conduct Medal for the period 28 January 1943 through to 19 October 1945.

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

BOARD VOTE

RVO___  EJA____ EWL____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Raymond V. O'Connor, Jr.
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999029064	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000308	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19451019	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  46		
2.  75		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.