IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 11 February 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130009629 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 requests that the records of her deceased father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to show his award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM). 2. The applicant states, in effect, that a document found in her father’s possessions shows that he was awarded the BSM; however, it is not reflected on his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge). 3. The applicant provides copies of the FSM’s WD AGO Form 53-55, proof of death documents, and a preprinted form from Headquarters, 94th AAA Gun Battalion, dated 18 August 1944. 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 the FSM's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, the documents provided by the applicant are sufficient to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 2. The FSM was inducted on 29 March 1941. He completed his training as an anti-aircraft artillery gun crewman and he participated in the Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, and Aleutian Islands Campaigns. 3. On 2 October 1945, he was honorably discharged at Fort Meade, Maryland. His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Theater Service Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Service Ribbon and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon. 4. The document provided by the applicant shows that the applicant was authorized to wear the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with one bronze service star, American Defense Ribbon, and the American Theater Ribbon. 5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the BSM is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 states a bronze service star, based on qualifying service for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation, will be worn on the appropriate service medal. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the World War II Victory Medal is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant’s contention and supporting documents have been carefully considered; however, she has submitted no evidence to show that the FSM was awarded the BSM. 2. The document submitted by the applicant shows the FSM was authorized to wear a bronze service star on his Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Ribbon to denote his campaign participation. 3. The award of the BSM is not the same as a bronze service star that is worn to denote campaign participation. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary there appears to be no basis to add the award of the BSM to the FSM’s records. 4. However, it would be appropriate at this time to add bronze service stars (one for his Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Ribbon and three for his European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon) to his WD AGO Form 53-55. 5. In addition, the FSM was also authorized the World War II Victory Medal, and this award should be added to his WD AGO Form 53-55. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ____X___ ____X___ ___X__ _ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his WD AGO Form 53-55 be showing he is authorized one bronze service star for his Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Ribbon and three bronze service stars for his European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon and by adding the World War II Victory Medal. 2. The Board further determined that the evidence presented was insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to adding the Bronze Star Medal to his WD AGO Form 53-55. _______ _ 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) AR20130009629 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130009629 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1