PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            13 July 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999034546

	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. Jennifer L. Prater		Chairperson	
	Mr. Melvin H. Meyer		Member	
	Mr. James E. Anderholm		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 he be awarded an Army Commendation Medal as a conversion award based on a general officer letter of commendation. In support of his request he submits a copy of the letter.

3.  Records available to the Board indicate the applicant entered active duty as an enlisted soldier in August 1942 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in January 1945 following completion of Officer Candidate School.  He arrived in the overseas theater of operations in March 1945.  While overseas he was assigned to Company G, 164th Infantry Regiment.

4.  The applicant was commended in a memorandum for his “execution of the Visayan campaign.”  The memorandum, dated 31 May 1945, is addressed to the applicant and was signed by the Commanding General of the Americal Division, a major general.

5.  In April 1946 the applicant returned to the United States and on 10 June 1946 he was released from active duty with an honorable characterization of service.  His Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal reflects only one bronze service star denoting participation in only one designated campaign period.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states that the Army Commendation Medal may be awarded as a conversion award to any individual commended after 6 December 1941 and before 1 January 1946 in a letter, certificate, or order of commendation, as distinguished from letter of appreciation, signed by an officer in the grade or position of a major general or higher.

7.  A review of Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) notes the applicant’s unit (164th Infantry Regiment) was credited with participating in two designated campaigns during the applicant’s period of assignment.  The unit was also awarded the Army of Occupation Medal with “Japan” clasp and a Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation during his tenure with the organization.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence confirms the applicant was commended in a memorandum signed by a major general in May 1945 and as such he is entitled to an award of the Army Commendation Medal as a conversion award.

2.  The Board also notes that the applicant is entitled to two bronze service stars on his Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, based on his participation in two designated campaign periods, the Army of Occupation Medal with “Japan” clasp and a Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

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:

a.  by awarding the individual concerned the Army Commendation Medal as a conversion award based on his World War II memorandum of commendation signed by a major general; and

b.  by showing that he is entitled to two bronze service stars on his Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with “Japan” clasp and a Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

___jlp__  ____mhm_  ___jea__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999034546	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000713	
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.