MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           9 November 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000044292

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. William Blakely		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Jennifer L. Prater		Chairperson	
	Mr. Orville W. Troesch, Jr.		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Lutz		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                            records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	                  advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  The widow of the former service member (FSM) requests that he be awarded the Combat Medical Badge (CMB).

APPLICANT STATES:  That the FSM was a combat medic in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater.  Also, the FSM participated in the invasion of Sicily and should be awarded the CMB.  In support of her application she submits the FSM’s separation document, discharge certificate, and letters of support.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

The applicant’s military records were lost in the fire that occurred at the Records Center in 1973.  The information herein was gleaned from a copy of the FSM’s separation document submitted by his widow and DA Form 1577 (Authorization For Issuance of Awards). 

His separation document shows he was inducted on 29 October 1942.  His military occupational specialty (MOS) was truck driver light 345.  He served overseas for 2 years, 6 months, and 15 days and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.  Item 29 of his separation document does not reflect the CMB.

He attained the rank of private first class (E-3) and was honorably released from active duty on 24 October 1945.  The FSM died on 18 May 1996.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Medical Badge is awarded to medical department personnel (colonel and below) who are assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size which is engaged in active ground combat.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  From a review of available military records, there is no evidence to show that the FSM was entitled to the CMB and is unlikely since he did not hold a medical MOS.

2.  The evidence of record does not reflect that the FSM was assigned to a infantry unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy.

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__JLP___  ___OWT_   ___BJL__  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000044292	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20001114	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.