PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            29 June 2000      
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000038741

	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	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. JoAnn H. Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. John N. Slone		Member	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		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, in effect, award of the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for his actions on 14 November 1944.

3.  The available records contain a letter from the applicant to a Member of Congress, dated 13 December 1999, wherein he requested consideration for the Bronze Star Medal for combat action experienced on 14 November 1944.

4.  The applicant states that he verbally received information that he would receive this award in 1945.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) and Honorable Discharge Certificate.  The application also shows the applicant submitted excerpts from an Action Book; however, this information was not attached to his application.  

5.  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 that the applicant enlisted on
4 December 1942.  He served as a surgical technician in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from 15 September 1944 to 15 July 1945 and was honorably discharged on 13 November 1945.  The applicant was awarded the Combat Medical Badge during World War II.

6.  The applicant’s discharge document, authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device as an authorized award.

7.  There is no evidence in the available records which shows the applicant was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device during World War II.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  The bronze “V” device indicates acts of heroism involving conflict with an armed enemy.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy.  The Bronze Star Medal is authorized for each individual who was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 or whose achievement or service, during that period, was confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947.  An award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge is considered to be a citation in orders.  This means, in effect, that the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized either badge for service during World War II.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows he was recommended for or awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device during World War II.  Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device.

2.  The applicant was awarded the Combat Medical Badge during World War II.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show award of the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Medical Badge).
 
3.  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 that the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Medical Badge).

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

BOARD VOTE:  

JHL______  JNL___  MHM____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		JoAnn H. Langston__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000038741	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000629	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19451113	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365  	
DISCHARGE REASON	Convenience of Government	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0014	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.