PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:          13 November 2003    
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2003089821

	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. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Ms. Eloise C. Prendergast		Member	
	Mr. Ronald E. Blakely		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 Normandy Campaign, the Northern France Campaign, and the Ardennes Campaign. 

3.  The applicant states that these campaigns never appeared on his discharge document.  In support of his application, he submits a letter of explanation, dated 24 October 2002; and a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 15 July 1942 and entered active duty on 18 October 1942.  He served as a weather equipment technician in the European Theater of Operations from 26 May 1943 through 
14 October 1945 and was honorably discharged on 26 October 1945.

5.  Item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) on the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he participated in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 also shows the Good Conduct Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars as authorized awards.    

6.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 24 (Service Record) shows that he was awarded two bronze service stars for participation in the Rhineland Campaign and the Central Europe Campaign.  His service record also shows that he served in the United Kingdom from 7 February 1944 to 18 December 1944 and in France from 18 December 1944 to 11 July 1945. 

7.  Appendix B (Campaigns, Service Requirements, and Inscriptions Prescribed for Streamers) of Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), in pertinent part, lists each campaign of the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater during World War II.  The Normandy Campaign (6 June to 24 July 1944); the Northern France Campaign (25 July to 14 September 1944); and the Ardennes Campaign (16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945) are listed in Appendix B.  

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the World War II Victory Medal.  It is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served in the United Kingdom during the periods of qualifying service for the Normandy and Northern France Campaigns.  Therefore, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request to show these campaigns in item 32 on his WD AGO Form 53-55.

2.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served in France from 18 December 1944 to 11 July 1945.  However, there is no evidence of record, and the applicant has provided no evidence, which shows that his unit participated in the Ardennes Campaign during World War II.  Therefore, there is insufficient evidence on which to amend item 32 on the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 to show this campaign.       

3.  The applicant served a period of qualifying service for award of the World War II Victory Medal.  Therefore, his WD AGO Form 53-55 should be corrected to show this medal.

4.  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 World War II Victory Medal.

2.  That so much of the application as pertains to correction of item 32 be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

AAO___  ECP_____  REB_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Arthur A. Omartian__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2003089821	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20031113	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.0000	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.