PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:           

	BOARD DATE:                9 November 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AR2000044676

	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. Joyce A. Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Jennifer L. Prater		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Lutz		Member	
	Mr. Orville W. Troesch		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 award of the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The applicant states that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal while serving with the 5th Cavalry Regiment for meritorious service; however, he never received the orders or the medal itself.  In support of his application he submits a copy of a letter from Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, dated 5 December 1945, a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Honorable Discharge) and a copy of his WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record).

4.  The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show he entered active duty on 5 December 1942 as a rifleman (745).  He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations from 24 July 1943 to 29 September 1945 and was honorably discharged on 19 October 1945.

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars, the Philippine Liberation Medal with two bronze service stars, the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart, four Overseas Service Bars and the Combat Infantryman Badge.  His discharge document does not show the Bronze Star Medal as an authorized award.

6.  The applicant provided a copy of a letter from Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, dated 5 December 1945, which states that the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service.  

7.  The Board notes the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II.  However, there is no evidence he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

8.  The Board noted that the applicant is eligible for award of the World War II
Victory Medal which is not shown on his discharge document.

9.  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.
10.  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. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board noted the letter from the Headquarters, 1st Cavalry Division, dated
5 December 1945.  That letter states that the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service.  Upon review, the Board finds that the letter submitted by the applicant is sufficient as a basis for correction of his records to show this award.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his records to show the Bronze Star Medal.

2.  The Board notes that the applicant is also entitled to the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.  Therefore, he is entitled to
two awards of the Bronze Star Medal and correction of his records to show the Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster).

3.  Evidence of record shows that the applicant was entitled to the World War II Victory Medal.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show 
this award.

4.  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 Bronze Star Medal 
(First Oak Leaf Cluster) and the World War II Victory Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

JLP_____  BJL_____  OWT____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		JENNIFER L. PRATER__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000044676	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20001109	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19451019	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  60		
2.  112		
3.  		
4.		
5.		
6.