PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            2 October 2003    
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR200308604

	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	
	Mrs. Nancy L. Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Kathleen A. Newman		Chairperson	
	Mr. Lester Echols		Member	
	Mr. John T. Meixell		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 WD AGO Form 53-55 be amended to add the Army Commendation Ribbon (currently designated the Army Commendation Medal) and to show his date of birth as 26 March 1926.

3.  The applicant makes no additional statement.  As supporting evidence he provides his WD AGO Form 53-55, a Letter of Commendation dated 17 January 1946, and a copy of his record of birth (not an original document).

4.  The applicant’s military records were presumably lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire in 1973.  Information contained herein was taken from the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 and the documents provided by the applicant.

5.  The applicant was inducted into the Army on 24 July 1944 and entered active service that date.  He arrived in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations on       26 February 1945 and departed the theater on 30 January 1946.  He separated on 3 March 1946.  

6.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows his date of birth as 20 March 1926.  It shows he participated in five campaigns.  It shows he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Campaign Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon (currently designated the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal).

7.  By Headquarters, Sixth Army, Kyoto, Japan letter dated 17 January 1946, subject:  Letter of Commendation, the applicant was authorized to wear the Army Commendation Ribbon by direction of the Secretary of War for the excellent manner in which he performed his duties as a member of the G-3 (Operations) Section, that headquarters, from 15 April 1945 to 15 January 1946.

8.  The applicant provides a copy of his record of birth from the Office of the    City Clerk, City of Worcester, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, certified on        3 February 2003, that shows his date of birth as 26 March 1926.  

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states that the Army Commendation Medal was established by War Department Circular 377,           18 December 1945.  It is awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides for the wear of one bronze service star on the appropriate service medal for each credited campaign participation.  A silver service star is worn in lieu of five bronze service stars.
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board accepts the 17 January 1946 letter as sufficient evidence to show the applicant was awarded the Army Commendation Ribbon (currently designated the Army Commendation Medal).  His WD AGO Form 53-55 should be amended to add this award.

2.  Although the applicant does not provide an original copy of his record of birth, the Board notes that the provided copy shows he was born on 26 March 1926.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was born on 20 March 1926.  The Board presumes that a typographical error was made when his WD AGO Form 53-55 was prepared and concludes that his separation document should be amended to show his date of birth as 26 March 1926.

3.  The evidence of record shows the applicant received participation credit for five campaigns, thereby meeting the eligibility criteria for wear of one silver service star on his Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon (currently designated the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal).  His WD AGO Form 53-55 should be amended to reflect this fact.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

That the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 be amended to add the Army Commendation Medal, to show he is authorized to wear one silver service star on the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and to correct his date of birth to read   26 March 1926.

BOARD VOTE:  

__kan___  __le____  __jtm___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Kathleen A. Newman
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003086804	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20031002	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	Mr. Schneider	
ISSUES         1.	110.04	
2.	100.00	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.