PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:  27 February 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2000050005

	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. Paul A. Petty		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		Member	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		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, in effect, that he be provided the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was one of the 2221 African-American volunteers after the Battle of the Bulge who volunteered for infantry duty.  He provides a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge.

4.  The applicant’s military records were not available.  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.

5.  According to the copy of the WD AGO Form 53-55 supplied by the applicant, he was inducted into the Army on 22 January 1943 and entered active service on 29 January 1943.  He departed for the North African Theater of Operations on 
21 August 1943, arriving there on 2 September 1943.  He departed for the United States on 14 September 1945, arriving on 19 September 1945.  He was discharged from the 17th Armored Infantry Battalion, Headquarters, 12th Infantry Division, on 26 October 1945, at the convenience of the government due to demobilization.  He served overseas for 2 years, 1 month, and 29 days.  He served in the Continental United States for 6 months and 29 days.  He was discharged at the highest rank in which he served, Sergeant (Sgt).

6.  A group of 2221 African-American Volunteers volunteered for infantry duty in early 1945 in response to a 26 December 1944 call from Headquarters, European Theater of Operations, for such volunteers to replace infantry losses experienced during the Battle of the Bulge in WWII.  A condition of volunteering for African-American soldiers was administrative reduction to Private (PVT) or Private First Class (PFC).  Some volunteers were not restored to their original rank before they were discharged.  It has been determined that such a condition was unjust.

7.  The applicant’s discharge shows that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL), the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the European-African- Middle Eastern Service Ribbon (EAME) (Medal), and the Sharpshooter Rifle M1 Marksmanship Badge.  It also shows that he participated in five campaigns: Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe.

8.  According to Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, paragraph 3-13, a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the Combat Medical Badge (CMB), or other certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy, is eligible for award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

9.  According to Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, paragraph 5-12, 
a member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, between 7 December 1941 and 8 November 1945, served in the European, African, and/or Middle Eastern areas of operations, is authorized the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (EAME).  One bronze service star is authorized for wear on the EAME for each campaign in which the soldier participated when the soldier is assigned or attached to, and present for duty, with a unit in combat in the areas of operation or was awarded a combat decoration.  A silver service star is worn in place of five bronze service stars.

10.  The Army of Occupation of Medal (AOM) with Germany clasp is authorized by Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, paragraph 5-12, for soldiers who served 30 consecutive days in Germany (exclusive of Berlin) between 2 May 1945 and 5 May 1955.  Service between 2 May and 8 November 1945 will be counted only if the European-African-Middle Easter Campaign Medal was awarded for service before 2 May 1945.

11.  According to Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participant Credit Register, the 17th Armored Infantry Battalion, Headquarters, 12th Infantry Division, was given credit for occupation of Germany for the period 2 May 1945 through 3 October 1945.

12.  The World War II (WWII) Victory Medal is awarded for service between 
7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, according to Army Regulation 
600-8-2, Military Awards, paragraph 5-11.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  In consideration of his CIB, according to AR 600-8-22, paragraph 3-13, the applicant is authorized the BSM.

2.  In consideration of his CIB and credit for participation in the five campaigns, according to AR 600-8-22, paragraph 5-12, the applicant is authorized the EAME with one silver service star.

3.  It will be assumed that because the applicant served in the Rhineland Campaign which occurred in Germany during the period 15 September 1944 through 21 March 1945, and because he was discharged from the 17th Armored Infantry Battalion which unit was granted Germany occupation credit for the period 2 May 1945 through 3 October 1945, that the applicant is authorized the AOM w/ Germany Clasp.

4.  The applicant is authorized the WWII Victory Medal.

5.  The applicant was discharged at the highest rank that he had attained.  Therefore, there is no issue on restoring rank lost as a result of being a 
2221 African-American volunteer.

6.  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 for the individual concerned by:

	a.  awarding him the BSM, the EAME with one silver service star, the AOM with Germany clasp, and the WWII Victory Medal;

b.  providing him with these medals; and

	c.  issuing a correction to his WD AGO Form 53-55 for the period of service 29 January 1943 through 26 October 1945, showing that he was also awarded the BSM, the EAME w/ one silver service star, the AOM w/ Germany clasp, and the WWII Victory Medal.

BOARD VOTE:  

__js___  ___ra____  __mm____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____John N. Slone____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000050005	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010227	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  107.0014	Bronze Star Medal	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.