MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:  4 August 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR1999014823

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Rosa M. Chandler		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred K. McCoy		Chairperson	
	Mr. George D. Paxson		Member	
	Mr. John H. Kern		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS: Correction of his records to show award of the Army of Occupational Medal (AOM).

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that he was never awarded the AOM for service in Japan from 14 November 1944 -15 November 1945.  Further, he states that he was assigned to Company E, 2d Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 11th Airborne Division from 30 August -November 1945.  In support of his request he submits a statement written in his own behalf, a WD AGO Form 100 (Army of the United States Separation Qualification Record), and WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Honorable Discharge).  He also submits correspondence that he received from the Fort Campbell, Kentucky Museum, correspondence that he received as a result of a congressional inquiry, and a four page article from a history book.  

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military record show:

That he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 23 March 1944, he completed basic and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 745 (Rifleman).  He was honorably discharged on 14 February 1946.

The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he was awarded the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal (with three bronze service stars), the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Service Medal (with one bronze service star). 

The WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the AOM as an authorized award.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the AOM is awarded for service of thirty consecutive days at a normal post of duty in a qualifying location.  Personnel at a qualifying location as an inspector, courier, escort, temporary or detached duty are precluded from eligibility.  Qualifying service in Japan included service in the Japanese home islands, the Ryukyu Islands and the Bonin-Volcano Islands between 3 September 1945 and 27 April 1952.  Service between 3 September 1945 and 2 March 1946 is qualifying only if the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal was earned prior to 3 September 1945.

Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, dated 6 July 1961, will show whether or not a World War II unit was authorized occupation credit, thus entitlement to the AOM.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

2.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, does not show that either the 2d Battalion, 511th PIR nor the 11th Airborne Division were designated as units of the Army of Occupation for Japan.

3.  Therefore, the applicant, notwithstanding the award of the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Medal prior to 3 September 1945, he is not entitled to the AOM since his units were not part of the Army of Occupation for Japan.

4.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant’s request. 

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

FKM____  GDP____  JHK_____  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999014823	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990804	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19460214	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365  	
DISCHARGE REASON	For the convenience of the government 	
BOARD DECISION	(NC)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	A92.03	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.