PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                21 July 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:        AR1998013966

	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. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Mr. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr.		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Curtis W. Barbee		Chairperson	
	Mr. James M. Alward		Member	
	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		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 correction of his records to show award of the Bronze Star Medal.

3.  The applicant states that the Bronze Star Medal was omitted from his discharge papers.

4.  The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show the applicant was inducted on 3 August 1942.  He served as an engineer construction foreman in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from March 1944 to November 1945 and was honorably discharged on 1 January 1946.

5.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) does not show the Bronze Star Medal as an authorized award.  There are no orders in the limited records available to the Board which show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  

6.  The applicant provided a copy of the award citation for award of the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service for the period 4 July 1944 to 8 September 1944.  This citation is authenticated with the seal of the 14th U.S. Air Force.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. 

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There are no orders available to the Board authorizing award of the Bronze Star Medal to the applicant and this award is not shown on his discharge documents.

2.  The applicant provided evidence of record that he had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during the period 4 July 1944 to 8 September 1944.  The Board determined that the award citation provided by the applicant is sufficient as a basis for authorizing award of the Bronze Star Medal.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal and correction of his records to show this award.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during the period 4 July 1944 to 8 September 1944.

BOARD VOTE:  

CWB____  JMA____  RGH____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		Curtis W. Barbee______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1998013966	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19990721	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19460101	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-360	
DISCHARGE REASON	DEMOBILIZATION	
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	MR HARRELL	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.