PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF

	BOARD DATE:           27 February 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000042566

	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:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		Member	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		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 WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge) be corrected to show all awards and decorations to which he is entitled.  He specifically requests the Purple Heart.

3.  In support of his request, the applicant submits:  a copy of DA Form 1577, Authorization for Issuance of Awards, completed by the US Army Reserve Personnel Center (ARPERCEN) on 28 November 1995; and a copy of a citation awarding the French "Croix de Guerre" to the 550th AAA (Antiaircraft Artillery) Automatic Weapons Battalion.

4.  The applicant's military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Information herein was obtained from alternate sources and shows that he was inducted on 16 January 1943 and trained as a Fire Control Instrument Operator.  He departed the United States on 21 October 1943 and arrived in the European Theater of Operations on or about 2 November 1943.  He served with the 550th AAA Automatic Weapons Battalion. Following war's end, he departed Europe on 5 November 1945 and arrived in the United States on 13 November 1945.  He was honorably discharged at Fort Dix, New Jersey, in the rank of corporal.

5.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he was credited with having participated in five campaigns -- Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland.  It also shows that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), and the Sharpshooter Badge (M-1 Rifle).

6.  Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, lists the time periods for which various units were awarded unit citations and campaign credits.  The organization to which the applicant was assigned during World War II received campaign participation credit for five campaigns (Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland), and occupation credit in Germany from 2 May 1945 to 1 July 1945.  The unit was also awarded the French "Croix de Guerre."

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) sets forth Department of the Army criteria, policy and instructions concerning individual military awards, the Good Conduct Medal, service medals and service ribbons, combat and special skill badges and tabs, unit decorations, and trophies and similar devices awarded in recognition of accomplishments.  It provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is awarded for heroism and/or 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.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for award of the American Campaign Medal (ACM).  This campaign medal is awarded for qualifying service in the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Army of Occupation Medal (AOM) is awarded for service of 30 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.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Purple Heart (PH) is awarded for a wound sustained as a result of hostile action.  Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that:  (1) the wound was the result of hostile action; (2) the wound required medical treatment; and (3) the medical treatment was made a matter of official record.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms that the applicant was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the EAME Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the CIB, and the Sharpshooter Badge (M-1 Rifle).  He was also credited with participation in five campaigns.

2.  The applicant met the qualifications for award of the BSM (by virtue of his award of the CIB), American Campaign Medal, and the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.  Because he was credited with five campaigns, he is entitled to a Silver Service Star for his EAME.

3.  The French Croix de Guerre was awarded by the Government of France during World War I and World War II as both an individual and unit award.  When the Croix de Guerre was awarded to a unit, no individual device, medal, or ribbon was authorized for wear by members of the unit.  However, in a 28 March 1983 letter, the US Army Military Personnel Center published policy that entitled members of a unit awarded the Croix de Guerre to have the award documented on their discharge documents.

4.  There is nothing in the applicant's records, and he has provided no evidence to show that he is entitled to the Purple Heart.  A search of the National Archives and Records Administration did not reveal any documents verifying that the applicant was ever treated for any type of wound.  His WD AGO Form 38, Report of Physical Examination of Enlisted Personnel Prior to Discharge, Release from Active Duty, or Retirement, makes reference to a "head injury" as opposed to a "head wound" with no further elaboration.

5.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected, 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 BSM, American Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, a Silver Service Star for his EAME Campaign Medal, and the French Croix de Guerre.

2.  That the citation for the French Croix de Guerre read as follows:  'FRENCH CROIX DE GUERRE--UNIT CITATION--NO EMBLEM AUTHORIZED."

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__jns____  __mhm__  __rwa __  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		     __John N. Slone___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000042566	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010227	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PARTIAL	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.