PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:          9 October 2003      
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2003087328

	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. Raymond V. O'Connor		Chairperson	
	Mr. Robert J. Osborn		Member	
	Ms. Eloise C. Prendergast		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 correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show award of the Bronze Star Medal (based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge).

3.  The applicant states that he received the Combat Infantryman Badge which entitled him to the Bronze Star Medal.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 and an award certificate for the Bronze Star Medal, dated 29 July 1991.

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, the WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record) and limited pay records.

5.  The applicant's reconstructed records show he was inducted on 24 February 1943.  He served as an armorer in the European Theater of Operations from 
13 August 1944 through 22 June 1945 and was honorably discharged on 
22 November 1945.

6.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the World War II Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation as authorized awards.

7.  The applicant's pay records show he received combat infantry pay.   

8.  Item 31 (Military Qualification and Date) on the applicant’s WD AGO Form 
53-55 shows that he received the Combat Infantryman Badge.  

9.  The applicant provided an award certificate, dated 29 July 1991, for the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in ground combat against the armed enemy during World War II in the European Theater of Operations.

10.  Item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) on the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he participated in three campaigns during World War II.

11.  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 applicant's unit received the Distinguished Unit Citation for actions during the period 10-15 November 1944 based on War Department General Order 21, dated 1945.

12.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 also shows the applicant's unit received occupation credit for Germany for the period from 2 May to 12 June 1945.
  
13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.
  
14.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 authorizes a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation or listed in item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of the WD AGO Form 53-55.  The regulation states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate campaign or service medal including the EAME Campaign Medal.  

15.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Army of Occupation Medal is awarded for service of thirty consecutive days at a normal post of duty in a qualifying location.  Personnel at a qualifying location as an inspector, courier, escort, temporary or detached duty are precluded from eligibility.  For award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, qualifying service must have occurred between 9 May 1945 and 5 May 1955 and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal must have been awarded prior to 9 May 1945.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant received the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show this medal.

2.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he participated in three campaigns during World War II.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of three bronze service stars to be affixed to the EAME Campaign Medal and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show these awards.

3.  The applicant's unit received the Distinguished Unit Citation while he was assigned to it.  Therefore, his WD AGO Form 53-55 should be corrected to show this unit citation.

4.  The applicant's unit received occupation credit for Germany.  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (based on 
award of the Combat Infantryman Badge), the EAME Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars, the Distinguished Unit Citation, and the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.

BOARD VOTE:  

RVO____  RJO____  ECP____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_Raymond V. O'Connor____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003087328	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20031009	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	 	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0014	
2.	107.0000	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.