PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           15 August 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000040130

	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. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Thomas D. Howard, Jr.		Chairperson	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Member	
	Ms. Gail J. Wire		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 records to show award of the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The applicant states that he should have been awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  He states that a NPRC Test Form 99-2B (Addendum to DA Form 1577) indicates that “there is no record of the Combat Medical Badge being awarded”.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation).

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 2 October 1942.  He served in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations from January 1944 through November 1945 and was honorably discharged on 9 November 1945.  He reenlisted on 13 October 1947 and remained on active duty through continuous reenlistments until he retired in the rank of master sergeant (MSG) on 31 October 1964.

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) does not show the Bronze Star Medal as an authorized award.

6.  Item 31 (Military Qualification and Date) of the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge during World War II.

7.  The Board noted the applicant was eligible for award of the World War II Victory Medal, the Distinguished Unit Citation (currently known as the Presidential Unit Citation), and the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp which are not shown on his WD AGO Form 53-55.

8.  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.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows, among other information, unit awards authorized for units which served during World War II.  This document shows the unit to which the applicant was assigned, the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, received the Distinguished Unit Citation for actions during the period 6 June to 9 June 1944 by War Department General Order 
76-44.

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, dated 6 July 1961, will show whether or not a World War II unit was authorized occupation credit, thus entitlement to the Army of Occupation Medal.  This document shows the applicant’s unit received occupation credit for Germany for the period from 15 August to 31 October 1945.

11.  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.

12.  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.  For Germany service must have been between 9 May 1945 and 5 May 1955 and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal must have been awarded prior to 9 May 1945.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was awarded the Combat Medical Badge during World War II.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the Combat Medical Badge and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show this award.

2.  The applicant served during a period of qualifying service for award of the World War II Victory Medal; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show the World War II Victory Medal.

3.  While the applicant was assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, it was cited for award of the Distinguished Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show this award.

4.  While the applicant was assigned to the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the unit received occupation credit for Germany.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.

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 Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Medical Badge), the World War II Victory Medal, the Distinguished Unit Citation and the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.

BOARD VOTE:  

TDH_____  AAO____  GJW____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Thomas D. Howard, Jr._
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000040130	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000815	
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.	107.0113	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.