PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           17 May 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999029605

	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	
	Mr. Richard H. Allen		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Mr. Fred Eichorn		Member	
	Mr. Raymond J. Wagner		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, addition of the award of the Bronze Star Medal to his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States).  

3.  The applicant states, in essence, that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal but it was not added to his records.  He provides copies of his separation documents and a copy of a Headquarters, X Corps general order announcing the award.

4.  The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Information herein was obtained from partially reconstructed personnel records and information submitted by the applicant.  These records essentially show that he had prior honorable military service, as a member of the Enlisted Reserve Corps (ERC), from 12 February 1946 through 14 January 1949.  He was trained in military specialty 669 (Military Policeman-Occupied Territory), and his branch was Cavalry.  He served in the European Theater of Operations from February 1947 though January 1949.  He was honorably separated on 14 January 1949, with credit for 2 years, 11 months and 3 days active duty.  He was awarded the Army of Occupation Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.  

5.  He had further ERC service from 15 January 1949 through 16 October 1950.  On 17 October 1950, he was ordered to active duty for 21 months, presumably in connection with the Korean conflict, then in progress.  His new military branch was Infantry and his military specialty was 4745 (Infantryman).  His rank was private first class.  

6.  His available records show that he was sent to Korea sometime after he entered active duty, and participated in combat operations as a member of Company L, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division.  

7.  The applicant was cited in X Corps General Orders Number 75, issued on 
14 April 1951, for award of the Bronze Star Medal, presumably for valor (“V” Device) by volunteering to assist in the evacuation of 11 soldiers of his unit to safety, when the unit was under machine gun fire from the enemy.

8.  On 15 April 1951, he received a bullet wound to his right foot.  No further details are available.

9.  On 11 October 1951, he was honorably released from active duty and was transferred to the Enlisted Reserve Corps.  He was credited with 11 months and 12 days active duty, and he had 13 days lost time, but further details concerning this absence are unknown.  He had served for 8 months and 29 days overseas.  

10.  His DD Form 214 shows in item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized), that he had received the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars (denoting campaign credits).

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded in time of war for heroism (as denoted by award of a “V” device to be worn on the medal and ribbon), 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. 

12.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, dated 29 January 1988, shows that the applicant was assigned to a unit which was awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (ROKPUC) by Department of the Army General Order Number 50, dated 1971.  

13. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides for award of the United Nations Service Medal.  In pertinent part, the regulation states that the period of eligibility for the United Nations Service Medal (UNSM) was between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954.  The regulation provides that this service medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States dispatched to Korea or adjacent areas on behalf of the United Nations.  Award of the Korean Service Medal automatically establishes eligibility for award of the UNSM.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant has provided sufficient evidence, in the form of a X Corps general order, awarding him the Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device for heroic action in combat on 7 March 1951 in Korea.  This award should be added to his DD Form 214 issued on 11 October 1951.

2.  The applicant is also entitled to two additional service awards for duty in Korea in 1950 and 1951, specifically the ROKPUC and the UNSM.  These awards should also be added to his DD Form 214 issued on 11 October 1951.  

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by issuing a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) to the individual concerned  to show the award of the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device, the ROKPUC and the UNSM.  
2.  That upon completion of the above action, that steps be taken to insure that the applicant is sent the appropriate award elements.  If the ROKPUC and the UNSM are not available through Department of Defense supply channels, that the individual concerned be advised as to how to obtain the award elements.

BOARD VOTE:  

__cmf___  __fe____  __rjw____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		   __Calvin M. Fowler____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999029605	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000517	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY	DASA	
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.