PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            13 June 2000      
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999030487

	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	
	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon		Chairperson	
	Mr. John H. Kern		Member	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		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, award of two bronze service stars (which he refers to as bronze stars).  He notes that he participated in the “Battle of the Bulge” and received two “bronze stars about 6 months after discharge for being at the Battle of the Bulge.”  He notes that he was told he would receive an award certificate but never did.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty on 
2 April 1943 and arrived overseas in November 1943.  He was initially assigned to the 2191 Quartermaster Truck Company and in March 1944 was reassigned to the 2098 Quartermaster Truck Company.  His official record contains an entry awarding him a bronze service star denoting participation in the Rhineland Campaign.

4.  The applicant returned to the United States in March 1946 and on 17 March 1946 was honorably discharged.  His WD AGO Form 53-55, which he authenticated, reflects entitlement to the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon (commonly referred to as the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal) and participation in the Rhineland Campaign but his entitlement to a bronze service star is not reflected in item 33 (decorations and citations) on the separation report.

5.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states that the Rhineland Campaign occurred between 15 September 1944 and 21 March 1945.

6.  The Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes-Alsace Campaign) began with the German attack on the morning of December 16, 1944.  Two later attacks on New Year's Day 1945 attempted to create second fronts in Holland and in northern France.  The ending date of the Bulge is considered as January 25, 1945, since this was the date on which the lost positions were completely regained.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also states that bronze service stars are service ribbon accouterments worn on campaign and service ribbons to denote participation in designated campaign periods.  Unlike personal awards and decorations bronze service stars do not have individual certificates or citations.

8.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) does not contain a listing for the 2098 Quartermaster Truck Company.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was credited with participating in the Rhineland Campaign and as such is entitled to a bronze service star on his European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

2.  There is, however, no evidence which confirms the applicant was credited with participation in the Ardennes-Alsace Campaign and as such no basis to award him a bronze service star for that campaign.

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 showing that the individual concerned is entitled to a bronze service star on his European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal denoting participation in the Rhineland Campaign.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

___eb___  ___jhk__  ___bje__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999030487	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000613	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	Grant	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.