MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:       

	BOARD DATE:            8 February 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000048296

	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. Joseph A. Adriance		Analyst	

The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. JoAnn H. Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. George D. Paxson		Member	
	Mr. Donald P. Hupman, Jr.		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:  In effect, that his separation document reflect his participation in the Battle of the Bulge.  

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that he did receive three battle stars but the Battle of the Bulge is not indicated on his discharge. 

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant’s military records were not available to the Board for review.  A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.  It is believed that the applicant’s records were lost in that fire.  

The available evidence does include a War Department (WD) Adjutant General Office (AGO) Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Discharge), which was issued to the applicant on the date of his separation.  This document verifies that he was inducted into the Army of the United States (AUS) on 11 July 1942 and it confirms that he served on active duty until being honorably discharged on 23 November 1945, in the rank of technician four (T-4).

The separation document also shows that he served in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) from 3 September 1944 to 28 July 1945.  Block 6 (Organization) of this document confirms that he served in the 536th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company.

The WD AGO Form 53-55 also confirms that while serving in the ETO, the applicant participated in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns of World War II, and that during his tenure in service he received the following awards and decorations:  European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal with two bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Department of the Army (DA) Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Campaign Participation Credit Register-World War II) establishes the eligibility of individual members for campaign participation credit, assault landing credit, and unit citation badges awarded during World War II.  This publication shows that the applicant’s unit is credited only with participation in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns of World War II, and lists no other campaigns or unit awards for the 
536th Ordnance Heavy Maintenance Company.  

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.  The Board notes the applicant’s contention that his separation document should reflect his participation in the Battle of the Bulge, however, finds no evidentiary basis on which to support this claim. 
2.  Notwithstanding the applicant’s contention, the Board finds his separation document accurately reflects the campaign credit authorized for his unit by 
DA Pamphlet 672-1.  

3.  Further, there is no available evidence to confirm his participation in any additional campaigns of World War II.  Therefore, lacking evidence to the contrary, the Board concludes the requested relief is not warranted in this case. 

4.  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

___jhl ___  __gp____  ___dh___  DENY APPLICATION

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

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000048296	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	2001/02/08	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	1945/11/23	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	RR1-1	
DISCHARGE REASON	Demobilization	
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  46	107.0000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.