PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:  24 May 2000
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999032581

	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. Lee Cates		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John M. Slone		Chairperson	
	Ms. Meta Waller		Member	
	Mr. Mark D. Manning		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 that his records be corrected to show that he was discharged in the rank of private first class (PFC) in 1945.

3.  The applicant states that a sergeant told him he was promoted to PFC and entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 1 July 1944.  He completed his required training and was awarded MOS 745 (Rifleman).

5.  During the period 30 December 1944 through 14 June 1945, he served in the European Theater of Operations.

6.  On 27 January 1945, he was hospitalized for trench foot and acne.  He remained hospitalized throughout the remainder of his service, both overseas and in the United States, until he was discharged.

7.  On 28 August 1945,he was honorably discharged in the rank of private under Army Regulation 615-361 with a Certificate of Disability for Discharge.  His WD AGO Form 53-55, dated 28 August 1945, indicates he had 1 year, 1 month and 28 days of creditable service.  He was entitled to award of the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with 1 Bronze Service Star.

8.  On 11 July 1999, the National Personnel Records Center authorized issuance of the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, the World War II Victory Medal, and, the Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.

9. War Department Circular 269-1943 established the CIB to recognize and provide an incentive to infantrymen.  The CIB was awarded for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy.  War Department Circular 186-1944 further provided that the CIB was to be awarded only to infantrymen serving with infantry units of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  The Awards Branch, Total Army Personnel Command, has advised in similar cases that, during World War II, the CIB was normally awarded only to enlisted individuals who served in the following positions:

    a.  Light machine gunner (604)
    b.  Heavy machine gunner (605)
    c.  Platoon sergeant (651)
    d.  Squad leader (653)
    e.  Rifleman (745)
    f.  Automatic rifleman (746)
    g.  Heavy weapons NCO (812)
    h.  Gun crewman (864)
10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy.  The BSM is authorized for each individual who was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 or whose achievement or service, during that period, was confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947.  An award of the CIB or the Combat Medical Badge is considered to be a citation in orders.  This means, in effect, that the BSM is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized either badge for service during World War II.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence of record that the applicant was recommended for or advanced to the rank of PFC, therefore, he is not entitled to promotion or payment thereof. 

2.  The evidence of record shows his entitlement to award of the CIB and the BSM (based on award of the CIB) and his records should be corrected accordingly.

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 the individual concerned was awarded the CIB and the BSM for meritorious service (based on award of the CIB).

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

BOARD VOTE:  

__JS___  __MW___  __MM____ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________ DENY APPLICATION

		___John M. Slone___
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999032581	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000524	
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         1.131	Promotion to PFC in WWII. 	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.