PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           22 July 2003       
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003086160

	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. Thomas D. Howard		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, in effect, correction of item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) on his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show the "Battle of Morotai."

3.  The applicant states this discharge does not mention that he participated in the "Battle of Morotai" in the Netherlands, East Indies.

4.  The applicant’s military records have been lost or destroyed.  This case is being considered using reconstructed records.  The applicant's reconstructed records consist primarily of the WD AGO Form 53-55 and limited service personnel records and medical records. 

5.  The applicant's reconstructed records show the applicant enlisted on 6 July 1942.  He served as a munition worker in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations from 29 June 1944 through 13 October 1945 and was honorably discharged on 7 November 1945.

6.  Item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) on the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the "Battle of Morotai."  Item 6 (Organization) shows his organization as Service Battery, 120th Field Artillery Battalion, 32nd Infantry Division.

7.  There is no evidence in the available records which shows the applicant participated in the "Battle of Morotai" in the Netherlands, East Indies.

8.  Appendix B (Campaigns, Service Requirements, and Inscriptions Prescribed for Streamers) of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) does not show the "Battle of Morotai" as an authorized campaign in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.  

9.  Appendix B of Army Regulation 600-8-22 does show the East Indies Campaign (but only for the period 1 January to 22 July 1942) as an authorized campaign.  However, there is no evidence in the available records which shows the applicant served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations in 1942.   

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register), dated 6 July 1961, shows, among other information, unit awards and citations authorized for units which served during World War II.  This document shows the unit to which the applicant was assigned received the Meritorious Unit Commendation for actions during the period 
14 November 1944 to 25 May 1945 based on General Orders 252, dated 
10 August 1945.  This award is not shown on the applicant's WD AGO Form 
53-55.

11.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 also shows the applicant's unit received the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for actions during the period 
17 October 1944 to 4 July 1945 by Department of the Army General Orders Number 47-50.  This award is not shown on his WD AGO Form 53-55.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Appendix B (Campaigns, Service Requirements, and Inscriptions Prescribed for Streamers) of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) does not show the "Battle of Morotai" as an authorized campaign in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II.  Therefore, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.  

2.  The applicant's unit received the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation while he was assigned to it.  Therefore, the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 should be corrected to show these unit awards. 

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the applicant was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation.

2.  That so much of the application as pertains to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show the "Battle of Morotai" be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

JNS____  TDH____  TL______  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_John N. Slone________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003086160	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20030722	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	 	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.0000	
2.	107.0000	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.