PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           23 October 2003                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003087699

	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. G. E. Vandenberg		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. JoAnn H. Langston		Chairperson	
	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		Member	
	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		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 records show he was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he was told that his records were incomplete and he would like to have the Presidential Unit Citation added to his discharge document.

4.  The applicant's military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  The available records show that he enlisted on 20 July 1944 and served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations from 19 February 1945 through 9 July 1945 with the 383rd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division, as a medical aidman. 

5.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) lists his awards and decorations as the American Campaign Medal, that Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, with one bronze service star, the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge, the Combat Medical Badge, and the World War II Victory Medal.

6.  Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Register) indicates that the 383rd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division, was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Citation.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also 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.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states, in pertinent part, that the Presidential Unit Citation (know as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966) is awarded for extraordinary heroism in action.  A unit must display such gallantry, determination and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission as would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The available records shows that during the period he was attached to it, his unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Meritorious Unit Citation. Therefore, it will correct an error to include these citations in his listed awards and decorations.

2.  The applicant is authorized award of the Bronze Star Medal due to award of the Combat Medical Badge.

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, correcting the applicant’s records as recommended below will correct an error.

RECOMMENDATION:

That his records be corrected to show his awards and decorations as the Bronze Star Medal, a bronze service star for wear on the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, and the Meritorious Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

__JHL___  ___MKP_  __AAO__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Joann H. Langston__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003087699	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20031023	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.