PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           4 April 2002       
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002066454

	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. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		Member	
	Ms. Karen Y. Fletcher		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 correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show award of the Silver Star. 

3.  The applicant states that he received the Silver Star in 1945; however, it was never entered on his discharge document.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55; a fax cover sheet from the Defense Intelligence Agency, Military Personnel Division, dated 20 August 1999; and a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 20 August 1999.   

4.  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 the applicant was inducted on 
5 January 1943.  He served as a medium tank crewman in the European Theater of Operations from 21 June 1943 to approximately June 1945 and was honorably discharged on 25 September 1945.  

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the Silver Star as an authorized award.

6.  Headquarters, First Armored Division General Orders Number 97, dated 
23 November 1945, show the applicant was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on 24 April 1945 in Italy. 

7.  In support of his claim for award of the Silver Star, the applicant provided a copy of DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 20 August 1999.  This document shows that the National Personnel Records Center determined the applicant was eligible for award of the Silver Star and directed that he be issued the Silver Star.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action on 24 April 1945 in Italy during World War II.  

2.  Evidence of record also shows that the applicant was issued the Silver Star.

3.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 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 Silver Star.

BOARD VOTE:  

AAO___  RWA____  KYF_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Arthur A. Omartian_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002066454	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020404	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0007	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.