PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           22 February 2001  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000050442

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ted S. Kanamine		Member	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		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 his military occupational specialty (MOS) be changed from auto parts clerk and truck driver to an unspecified MOS. He also requests, in effect, correction of his military records to show any other awards or decorations to which he may be entitled.

3.  The applicant also requests, in a letter provided with his application, that he be issued the medals that he earned during World War II.  This issue was addressed by separate correspondence to the applicant.  

4.  The applicant states, in effect, that his discharge document, much to his surprise, has him listed as a truck driver and parts person.  He states that he did drive a truck but it had a 58 caliber gun on it’s bed.  He contends that he was with the 728th Ordinance Division of the 28th Infantry and that they were the first into Paris.  He feels quite slighted to be listed as an auto parts clerk, considering that he did not sleep inside a single building for two years.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation); a letter from the applicant to a Member of Congress dated 
16 October 2000; a letter from a Member of Congress dated 16 October 2000.   

5.  The applicant’s military records were destroyed or lost during the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show that the applicant was inducted on 
18 September 1942.  He served as an auto parts clerk and truck driver (light) in the European Theater of Operations from 18 October 1943 through 16 November 1945 and was honorably discharged on 3 December 1945.

6.  Item 30 (Military Occupational Specialty) on the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55, which was authenticated in his own hand, shows the entry “AUTO PARTS CLERK 348 - TRUCK DRIVER LT [light] 345”.

7.  There is no evidence in the available records which shows the applicant was awarded or held any other MOS.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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 applicant signed his discharge document on 3 December 1945 attesting to the fact that his MOS was 348 (auto parts clerk) and MOS 345 (truck driver light).  There is no evidence of record available to the Board, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that he was awarded or held another MOS during World War II.  Therefore, item 30 (Military Occupational Specialty) is correct as currently constituted.  
2.  The applicant is entitled to the World War II Victory Medal for his service between 18 September 1942 and 3 December 1945.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show this medal.

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the World War II Victory Medal.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  TSK____  SK______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_Raymond V. O’Connor__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000050442	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010222	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19451203	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365 	
DISCHARGE REASON	Convenience of the Government RR 1-1 (Demobilization)	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.0500	
2.	107.0066	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.