PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           8 June 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000035324

	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.  

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. Robert J. McGowan		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Shirley L. Powell 		Chairperson	
	Ms. Lana E. McGlynn 		Member	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		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 his separation document be corrected to show that he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal.

3.  The applicant states that his award of the Soldier’s Medal was not included on his WD AGO Form 53, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation – Honorable Discharge.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53, his Honorable Discharge Certificate, and a copy of his certificate awarding him the Soldier’s Medal.

4.  The applicant's military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Information herein was obtained from alternative sources.

5.  The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army for 18 months on 2 July 1946.  Following training as a telephone and teletype installer/repairer, he was sent to Japan on 8 October 1946 for occupation duty.  The applicant served in Japan and also in Korea before departing from the Far East on 20 October 1947 to return to the United States.  He was honorably discharged on 15 November 1947.

6.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53 shows that he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal – Japan.  

7.  The applicant provides proof that he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal for heroism in Korea on 6 May 1947.  The award is dated 31 December 1948 which explains why it was not included on his separation document.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual military awards.  It 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.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified. 

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides for award of the Army of Occupation Medal for service in Korea between 3 September 1945 and 29 June 1949.  Since the applicant was already awarded the Army of Occupation Medal for service in Japan, he is entitled to an Oak Leaf Cluster to signify a second award of the medal.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Soldier’s Medal on 31 December 1948 for an act of heroism on 6 May 1947 while serving in Korea.  This award should be listed on his separation document.

2.  The applicant is also entitled to award of the Good Conduct Medal and an Oak Leaf Cluster to his Army of Occupation Medal.

3.  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: 

a.  By issuing to the individual concerned a Good Conduct Medal and a second award of the Army of Occupation Medal for his service in Korea; and

	b.  By issuing to the individual concerned a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214 (separation document) showing that he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster.

BOARD VOTE:  

__slp___  __lem___  __aao___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		    __Shirley L. Powell__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000035324	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000608	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	DASA	
ISSUES         1.	107.0010	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.