PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  27 November 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2001061587

	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. Vic Whitney		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		Member	
	Mr. Lester Echols		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 that his award of the Purple Heart be added to his discharge document (WD AGO Form 53-55).

3.  The applicant states that it was omitted from his discharge document.  He provides copies of Army correspondence in support of his application.

4.  The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center.  Documents available from other sources show that he served on active duty as a rifleman from 5 April 1943 to 6 February 1946.  He served in the European theater of operations from 15 October 1943 to 12 January 1946.

5.  His authorized awards include the Combat Infantryman Badge.  The Purple Heart is not shown as an authorized award on his WD AGO Form 53-55 and block 34 (Wounds) states “None.”

6.  The applicant provided a copy of a telegram that notified his mother that he had been wounded in action in France on 12 September 1944.  He also provides a copy of a 1 March 1946 letter from the Army Adjutant General that states that the applicant was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 12 September 1944.  Award orders are not in the available record.

7.  The available records contain a hospital admissions card data base printout that shows that the applicant was treated for artillery shell fragment wounds on 12 September 1944.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 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.  An award of the Combat Infantryman 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 awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for service during World War II.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is a preponderance of evidence that shows that the applicant was entitled to and awarded the Purple Heart as a battle casualty on 12 September 1944.

2.  Additionally, the applicant is entitled to an award of Bronze Star Medal based on the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  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 for the individual concerned be corrected by:

a.  showing that he was wounded in action in France on 12 September 1944 and entitled to an award of the Purple Heart; and

	b.  awarding him the Bronze Star Medal based on the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

BOARD VOTE:  

__ao____  __jm____  ___le___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		____Arthur A. Omartian_______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001061587	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20011127	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.