PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF

	BOARD DATE:          21 December 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2000043895

	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. Rosa M. Chandler		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Karol A. Kennedy		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ernest W. Lutz Jr.		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 Army 
Commendation Medal (ARCOM).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) should be corrected to show the award of the ARCOM.  He submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55, a copy of his honorable discharge certificate, a copy of his WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record), and copies of letters of commendation dated 25 February, 5 March and 
8 March 1946 in support of his request.

4.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 5 August 1943.  He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations from 
24 August 1944-26 February 1946.  He served with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Tenth Army from September 1944-January 1946.  He was honorably discharged on 28 March 1946.  His rank was technical sergeant.

5.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II (WWII) Victory Medal, and the WWII Lapel Button.  He participated in one campaign, the Ryukyu Island Campaign.  However, it does not show the ARCOM as an authorized award, nor does it show a bronze service star (BSS) for wear on the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal as a result of his participation in the Ryukyu Island Campaign.

6.  On 5 March 1946, the Military Governor of Korea (a major general) issued a letter, subject: Commendation, authorizing the applicant the award of the ARCOM for meritorious performance of duty while serving in Korea from October 1945- February 1946 under the provisions of the War Department Circular No. 377, dated 18 December 1945.

7.  Under current standards, Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides that the Army Commendation Medal may be 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, distinguished himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, also authorizes award of a BSS, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized BSS will be worn on the appropriate service medal.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board concludes that, notwithstanding the lack of orders awarding him the ARCOM, the letter dated 5 March 1946 from the Military Governor of Korea is sufficient evidence of award of the ARCOM for the applicant's service in Korea between October 1945 and February 1946.  

2.  Also, the applicant is entitled to award of a BSS for wear on his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign 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 by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the ARCOM and one BSS for wear on his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
	
BOARD VOTE:

__kak___  __ewl___  __gjw____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		     __Karol A. Kennedy__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000043895	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20001221	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	DASA	
ISSUES         1.	107.0000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.