PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           25 June 2002                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002068239

	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. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Elzey J. Arledge		Member	
	Mr. Thomas Lanyi		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 a Certificate of Appreciation be corrected to show his initial date of service in the Armed Forces of the United States as “13 November 1943” instead of “30 June 1948.” 

3.  The applicant states that his initial date of military service is incorrect on the certificate.  In support of his application, he submits a letter of explanation, dated 7 January 2002; a WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation); and the Certificate of Appreciation.  

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Enlisted Reserve Corps on 13 November 1943 and entered active duty on 4 December 1943.  He served as a squad leader in the European Theater of Operations from 
20 January 1945 through 20 April 1946 and was honorably released on 4 May 1946 to complete his obligation in the Enlisted Reserve Corps.  On 31 July 1971, the applicant retired in the rank of sergeant first class after completing 27 years, 8 months and 11 days of military service. 

5.  The applicant provided a Certificate of Appreciation for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, signed by President Richard Nixon, which shows his military service from 30 June 1948 through 31 July 1971.   

6.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) shows that he received the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) also 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 or whose achievement or service, during that period, was confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947.  An award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical 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 authorized either badge for service during World War II.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s initial date of service in the Armed Forces of the United States was incorrectly entered on the certificate provided by the applicant, in that, the date was entered as “30 June 1948” instead of “13 November 1943”.  Therefore, the applicant’s certificate should be corrected at this time. 
 
2.  The applicant received the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge) and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show this award.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That an official document be prepared to correct the applicant’s initial date of service in the Armed Forces of the United States to show “13 November 1943.”

2.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge) on his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation).

BOARD VOTE:  

JNS____  EJA_____  TL______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_John N. Slone    ________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002068239	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020625	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT PLUS)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.0000	
2.	107.0015	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.