IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 19 May 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150010921 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x____ ___x____ ___x____ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 19 May 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150010921 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. __________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. IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 19 May 2016 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150010921 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, in effect, correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show he is authorized a fifth bronze service star for wear on his European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. 2. The applicant states: a. He was in England from December 1943 until 16 June 1944, at which time he came ashore on Omaha Beach. His unit was attached to the British 30th Antiaircraft Brigade. b. With training experience, the unit became operational and conducted "Bulleye Missions." The "Bulleye Mission" was to track the Royal Air Force (RAF) planes coming back from their raids over Germany. At night, it was completely dark in the sky. c. He spoke with many RAF pilots that told him the only way they were able to keep formation was to look for exhaust flames from the nearby planes. d. He was a searchlight control station operator who controlled the operation of the light. He was trained in aircraft identification. e. Allied planes continuously sent out a code called identification of friend or foe. When tracking with radar the RAF Group looked like snow on the radar screen. If a German plane were to fly in the group, you could not single out the enemy plane. He would control the lights and try to identify the German plane that was trying to fly in and bomb the airfield. f. Aside from the "Bulleye Missions" the RAF crew were happy to see their searchlights because it meant they were almost home. g. This type of action appears to him to be a defensive action to save lives; therefore, he believe he was part of the defense of England and as such, he would be entitled to a battle star for that action. h. The 225th Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion has four bronze service stars and he strongly believes that he is authorized a fifth one. 3. The applicant provides: * Self-authored statement (undated) * 225th Antiaircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion History from their website * Honorable Discharge Certificate, dated 16 December 1945 * WD AGO Form 53-55 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 15 January 1943. He completed training as a control station operator. He arrived in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) on 29 December 1943. He was assigned to the 225th Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion. He participated in the following four campaigns: * Central Europe * Normandy * Northern France * Rhineland 3. On 11 December 1945, the applicant departed the ETO en-route to the United States. He was honorably discharged on 16 December 1945, for the convenience of the government (demobilization). 4. The applicant WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the following awards: * European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal * Good Conduct Medal * World War II Victory Medal 5. On 4 April 2000, the National Personnel Record Center notified the applicant that he was also authorized the following awards: * American Campaign Medal * Army of Occupation Medal with German Clasp * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar * Four bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal 6. The applicant provides a self-authored statement explaining why he believes he is authorized an additional bronze service star. He also provides the history of the 225th Aircraft Artillery Searchlight Battalion from a website maintained by representatives of the Defense of Britain Project. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states: a. 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. A silver service star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars. b. 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 one year. c. For award of the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp qualifying service must have occurred between 9 May 1945 and 5 May 1955. Service between 9 May 1945 and 8 November 1945 will be counted only if the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded for service before 9 May 1945. d. The Marksmanship Qualification Badge is awarded in three degrees – Expert, Sharpshooter, and Marksman. An appropriate bar is furnished to denote the individual’s weapon qualification. DISCUSSION: The applicant's contentions are noted. However, there is no evidence in the available record showing that he participated in any recognized campaigns other than the four currently reflected on his WD AGO Form 53-55. His contention that his mission was defensive in support of England is noted. However, this Board does not have the authority to establish such recognition. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150010921 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150010921 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2