PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           12 September 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000042530

	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. Kenneth H. Aucock		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Fred Eichorn		Member	
	Ms. Carol Jo Suiter 		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.  In effect, the applicant requests award of the Army Commendation Medal and the Korean Service Medal. 

3.  The applicant states that he submitted a request for the Army Commendation Medal in 1974; however, never received an answer.  He requested the Korean Service Medal on numerous occasions beginning in 1970.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he had service as both an enlisted soldier and as an officer.  He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1942, served in the European Theater of Operations during World War II, was wounded in action, and participated in five campaigns.  The applicant’s officer qualification record, which he submits with his application shows that he was awarded the American Defense Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, two overseas bars, the Purple Heart, the American Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the French Croix de Guerre, the Army Occupation Medal (Germany), and the Presidential Unit Citation.  He has also been awarded the Good Conduct Medal.  In pen, are the notations, “Commendation Medal,” and “Korean Medal.”  This form shows his assignments from 1941 when he was an enlisted soldier, through 13 November 1952, when he was released from active duty as a captain.  That form does not show that he served in Korea.

5.  In a 14 March 1945 letter a reconnaissance troop company commander, a captain, commended the applicant’s unit, elements of an engineer company, for their support, often under enemy fire, from 27 February to 6 March 1945.  That commendation was endorsed by the commander of the 14th Cavalry Group, a colonel, and forwarded to the applicant.  On 16 September 1947, the applicant requested award of the Bronze Star Medal based on that commendation.  On    12 March 1948 DA denied his request stating that it was not DA policy to award the Bronze Star Medal based on commendations wherein a unit had been cited for meritorious achievement in operations against an armed enemy.  He was also informed that his request was evaluated for the award of the Commendation Ribbon, but denied, inasmuch as the letter of commendation was not awarded by or in the name of a major general or higher commander.

6.  The applicant was a Captain in the Officer Reserve Corps after the war, and was ordered to active duty on 9 November 1950.  He was separated from active duty on 12 November 1952 at Fort Jay, New York.  His DD Form 214 shows that he had 2 years and 4 days of service, with no foreign or sea service. 

7.  On 15 July 1963 he was transferred to the Retired Reserve.  

8.  The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service for any period between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954. 

9.  The Army Commendation Medal is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  Awards of the Army Commendation Medal may be made to any individual commended after 6 December 1941 and before   1 January 1946 in a letter, certificate, or order of commendation, signed by an officer in the grade or position of a major general or higher.

10.  The Korean Service Medal is award for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954 for service within the territorial limits of Korea or in waters immediately adjacent thereto, with a unit under the operational control of the Commander in Chief, Far East, which has been designated as having directly supported the military efforts in Korea, or to an individual who was furnished a certificate by the Commander in Chief, Far East, testifying to material contribution made in direct support of the military efforts in Korea.  The service prescribed must have been performed on permanent assignment, on temporary duty for     30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or in active combat against the enemy. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.   The applicant’s unit received a letter of commendation from a captain and endorsed by a colonel.  The applicant is not entitled to award of the Army Commendation Medal. 

2.  The applicant served on active duty from November 1950 through November 1952; however, there is no evidence, nor has the applicant submitted any, of service in Korea.  He is not entitled to the Korean Service Medal.

3.  The applicant is entitled to award of the National Defense Service Medal.

4.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected 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 National Defense Service Medal.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

___cmf__  ___fe___  ___cjs___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000042530	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000912	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT 	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  46	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.