PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           1 August 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002072623

	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. Nancy L. Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Samuel A. Crumpler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		Member	
	Ms. Regan K. Smith		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 Report of Separation, DD Form 214, be amended to add the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

3.  The applicant states that his DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).  He provides his DD Form 214 for the period ending 4 September 1952 as supporting evidence.

4.  The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire in 1973.  Information contained herein was obtained from alternate sources.

5.  The applicant initially enlisted in the Regular Army on 13 December 1946   and was separated on 17 November 1947 for minority.  He enlisted again on    23 June 1949, served in Korea, and was separated in the rank of corporal on      4 September 1952 after completing 3 years, 2 months, and 8 days of creditable active service that period with 4 days of lost time.  His DD Form 214 for the period ending 4 September 1952 shows he was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan clasp, the CIB, and the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars.

6.  On 27 February 1992, the U. S. Army Reserve Personnel Center authorized issuance to the applicant, in addition to the awards listed on his DD Form 214 for the period ending 4 September 1952, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides for award of the BSM to members of the armed forces who, after 6 December 1941 and prior to 3 September 1945, have been cited in orders or in a formal certificate for meritorious or exemplary conduct in ground combat against the armed enemy.  A citation in orders for the Combat Infantryman Badge or Medical Badge awarded in the field during the period of actual combat against the armed enemy is considered as a citation for exemplary conduct in ground combat.

8.  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 Korean 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 award.  The Department of Defense has assigned responsibility to the Department of the Air Force for distribution of the Korean War Service Medal to eligible veterans of all services.  To apply, veterans must provide a copy of their discharge paper to the Awards and Decorations Section, Headquarter, Air Force Personnel Center, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base, TX 78150-4714.  Once the Korean War Service Medal has been authorized by the Department of the Air Force, the applicant may apply to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records to add this foreign award to his DD Form 214.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant did not serve during the time period that would have authorized conversion of his CIB to the BSM.  

2.  The applicant was authorized issuance of the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and these awards should be added to his DD Form 214.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 4 September 1952 be amended to add the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__SAC__  __MHM__  __RKS__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		___Samuel A. Crumpler___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002072623	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	2002/08/01	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	PARTIAL GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0014	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.