PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF

	BOARD DATE:            27 April 2000     
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999032403

	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.  

	Ms. Deborah L. Brantley		Senior Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Elizabeth Buchanon		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas A. Pagan		Member	
	Mr. Kenneth L. Wright		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, that his records be corrected to reflect awards and decorations that he may be entitled too.  

3.  He notes, in particular, that he was awarded a Bronze Star Medal which is not reflected on his separation document.  The applicant submitted a copy of a newspaper article and a copy of a 1951 letter indicating he was presented a Bronze Star Medal.

4.  The applicant's records were apparently lost or destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center.  Information contained herein was reconstructed from alternative sources including a copy of his DD Form 214 which the applicant provided.

5.  He entered active duty on 20 August 1947 and served continuously until 
4 September 1951.  His separation report notes that he served nearly 31 months overseas.

6.  A newspaper article, submitted in support of the applicant's request, indicates the applicant served one year in Japan.  The newspaper article also notes that the applicant was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for "meritorious action" for "his tireless effort in delivering vitally needed ammunition and equipment to the front lines, as a drive for Co. "L" 23d Infantry Regiment.  When unable to reach the front lines by truck, [the applicant] delivered ammunition on foot."  The 1 June 1951 letter, signed by the commander of Company L, 23rd Infantry, confirms the applicant was a Bronze Star Medal on 31 May 1951 near "Inje, North Korea…."

7.  The applicant was released from active duty on 4 September 1951.  At the time of his release from active duty he was assigned to Fort Myer, Virginia.  Item 27 (decorations) on his separation report contains the word "none."

8.  In 1999 officials at the Army Reserve Personnel Center authorized the U.S. Army Support Activity in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to issue the applicant an Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal, decorations the applicant was entitled to but which were not recorded on his separation document.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states that a bronze service star will be authorized for wear on the Korean Service Medal to denote an individual's participation in designated campaign periods during periods of combat service.  Between June 

1950 (commencement of the Korean War) and May 1951 five campaign periods were designated (UN defensive, UN offensive, CCF intervention, First UN counteroffensive, and CCF spring offensive).

10.  A review of Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) notes the applicant’s unit (23rd Infantry Regiment) was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (now referred to as a Presidential Unit Citation) and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation during his tenure with the organization.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence supports a conclusion that the applicant was likely assigned to Korea for approximately 18 months and was in Korea on 31 May 1951 and as such would be entitled to five bronze service stars on his Korean Service Medal associated with the five designated campaign periods which occurred between June 1950 and May 1951.

2.  There is also sufficient evidence that the applicant was awarded a Bronze Star Medal based on his service in Korea and as such is entitled to have that award reflected on his separation report.

3.  Based on the applicant's service he was also entitled to the Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal, all of which were authorized for issuance in 1999. The awards, however, should also be annotated on his separation report.

4.  The evidence confirms the applicant is entitled to a Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation based on his service with the 23rd Infantry during the period the awards were presented.

5.  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:

a.  by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal;

b.  by showing that he is entitled to five bronze service stars on his Korean Service Medal; and

c.  by showing that he is entitled to a Presidential Unit Citation and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

___eb___  ____tap_  ___klw__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999032403	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000427	
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.