PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           11 July 2002 
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002069759

	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. Walter Avery		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Ted S. Kanamine		Chairperson	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		Member	
	Mr. Harry B. Oberg		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, the correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show he earned the Parachutist Badge and that his most significant duty assignment was Company L, 179th Light Infantry, 45th Infantry Division.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he graduated from airborne school and he believes his most significant assignment was his assignment with Company L, 179th Light Infantry, 45th Infantry Division.

4.  In support of his request, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214, a Basic Airborne Course completion certificate, a page from a home and address roster for Company L, 179th Light Infantry, and pages from his airborne school class book.

5.  The applicant’s military records could not be located at the National Personnel Records Center.  The documents provided herein were provided by the applicant.

6.  A DD Form 214, signed by the applicant reflects that he was honorably discharged on 24 February 1954, at the rank of sergeant (temporary).  He had completed a total of 3 years, 0 months and 6 days of creditable active service and had no lost time.

7.  His DD Form 214 shows in item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) that he was awarded the Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.  It does not show the Parachutist Badge as an authorized award.  Item 28 (Most Significant Duty Assignment) reflects the 92nd Chemical Service Company.

8.  A diploma issued by the Infantry School reflects that the applicant successfully completed the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia and on 3 August 1951, he was rated as an qualified Parachutist.  In response to an inquiry from a Board staff member, the applicant explained that he attended airborne school and the diploma submitted is a color copy.  He does not have the orders awarding him the Parachutist Badge.

9.  A page from a roster reflects the applicant was assigned to Company L, 179th Infantry.

10.  His airborne school class book reflects the applicant as a member of Company A.

11.  The applicant explained to a staff member that he was assigned to the unit currently listed as his most significant duty assignment; however, he believes it was his assignment with the 45th Infantry Division that was the most significant. He would like it listed on his DD Form 214 to assist in verification for membership in 45th Infantry Division alumni organizations.  The applicant could not confirm the exact dates he was assigned to either organization.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides, in pertinent part, that the Good Conduct Medal is awarded to soldiers who distinguish themselves by their exemplary conduct, efficiency and fidelity throughout a specified period of continuous enlisted active Federal military service.  For each 3 years completed on or after 27 August 1940.  For the first award only, upon termination of service on or after 27 June 1950 of less than three years but more than one year.

13.  The Board noted the applicant served in Korea during the Korean Conflict, which would entitle him to the Korean War Service Medal.  As a matter of information, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Korean War, the Government of the Republic of Korea issued the Korea War Service Medal to pay tribute to eligible Korean War veterans for their historic endeavors to preserve the freedom of the Republic of Korea and the free world.  On 20 August 1999, the Department of Defense approved acceptance and wear of this foreign service award to eligible US veterans of the Korean War, or their surviving next of kin.  The medal is provided at no cost to veterans.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board accepts the applicant's statement, airborne school diploma and class roster as evidence that he completed airborne school and earned the Parachutist Badge.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show award of the Parachutist Badge.

2.  There is no evidence or information that indicates that the unit currently reflected as the applicant's most significant duty assignment is not correct; therefore, no correction is required.

3.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 reflects that he served honorably during a period of conflict, achieved the rank of sergeant, had no lost time, and that he was honorably discharged; therefore, the Board concludes that he most likely was qualified for the award of the Good Conduct Medal for the entire period of service from 19 February 1951 through 18 February 1954.

4.  The Department of Defense assigned responsibility to the Department of the Air Force for distribution of the Korean War Service Medal to eligible veterans or their surviving next of kin.  To apply, veterans must submit a copy of their discharge paper (DD Form 214) to the Awards and Decorations Section, Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Center, 550 C Street West Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas 78150-4714.  A sample request form is being provided to the applicant.  Once the Department of the Air Force has authorized the Korean War Service Medal, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to add this foreign award to his or her DD Form 214.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by:

	a.  awarding the individual concerned the Parachutist Badge; and 

b.  awarding him the Good Conduct Medal for the period 19 February 1951 through 18 February 1954.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

___jtm___  ____tsk_  ___hbo __  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__________Ted S. Kanamine_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001063049	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20020711	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION		
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0000.0000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.