IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 7 January 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130007958 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant, the son of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of the FSM's military records to show award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp, American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. 2. The applicant states the awards were either not authorized at the time of his father's discharge or were not listed on the discharge document due to clerical error. 3. The applicant provides a copy of: * the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) * the FSM's Honorable Discharge Certificate * the FSM's Certificate of Death CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The FSM's military records are not available for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed that the FSM's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there are sufficient documents available to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 2. The FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows: a. he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 6 March 1942 and entered active duty the same day; b. he served as an infantryman in Company K, 274th Infantry; c. he served in the European African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Theater of Operations from 18 March 1943 to 4 October 1945; d. he participated in the Tunisia, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns; e. he was awarded the EAME Campaign Medal with five bronze service stars, Good Conduct Medal, one Service Stripe, five Overseas Service Bars, and was issued the Lapel Button; and f. he was honorably discharged on 19 October 1945 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. g. he was credited with 1 year and 9 days of Continental United States service. 3. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards): a. The American Campaign Medal is awarded for qualifying service in the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946. Qualifying service for this campaign medal includes permanent assignment outside the continental United States but within the American Theater of Operations, or duty as a crewmember aboard a vessel sailing ocean waters for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or duty outside the continental United States as a passenger or in a temporary duty status for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by a corps commander or higher, or service within the continental United States for an aggregate period of 1 year. b. The Army of Occupation Medal is awarded for service of 30 consecutive days at a normal post of duty in a qualifying location. 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 EAME Campaign Medal must have been awarded prior to 9 May 1945. c. The World War II Victory Medal is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive. 4. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows World War II units that are authorized occupation credit. This pamphlet shows the 274th Infantry Regiment received occupation credit for Germany from 20 May through 18 September 1945. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Records clearly show that the FSM was eligible for the American Campaign Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp and he served during a qualifying period for award of the World War II Victory Medal. 2. In view of the above, the applicant's request should be granted. BOARD VOTE: ____X____ ____X____ ___X_____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing, in addition to the awards already shown on the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55, that his awards include the American Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp, and the World War II Victory Medal. _____________X_____________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110013878 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130007958 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1