MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  14 March 2002
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR2001064293

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Joyce Wright		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Joann Langston		Chairperson	
	Mr. Walter T. Morrison		Member	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		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 WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show that he served in the Philippines from May to September 1945.

APPLICANT STATES:  That he arrived by troop ship to the island of Leyte, in the Philippines, in May 1945.  A few weeks later, he took a landing ship transport (LST) to Mindanao where he joined the 186th Infantry Regiment, 41st Infantry Division at Zamboanga, Philippines.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 and a copy of a letter from the Defense Nuclear Agency, dated 26 August 1993.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records were destroyed or lost during the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973.  Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show that the applicant was inducted on 17 July 1944, as a mortar NCO (607).  He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater from 26 July 1945 to approximately 13 August 1946, and was honorably discharged on 22 August 1946.  

The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 does not reflect service in the Philippines.  However, the Philippines were geographically located in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater and the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 does show service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater.

The applicant provided a copy of a letter from the Defense Nuclear Agency, dated 26 August 1993, which confirmed the applicant’s presence in Hiroshima, during the occupation of Japan.  

Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.  It is awarded for service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946.  
The applicant received this medal.

Department of the Army Technical Manual TM 12-235 (Discharge Procedures and Preparation of Separation Forms) established the policies and procedures for completion and distribution of the WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) during World War II.  It stated that the date of departure and arrival of the destination would be listed in item 36 (Service Outside Continental US and Return); however, it does not state that each individual country in an overseas theater will be listed.

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.  The Board notes the applicant’s contention that he served in the Philippines from May to September 1945; however, there is no evidence of record that
reflects service in the Philippines.  Additionally, the applicable policy does not call for a separate listing of each country of assignment.

2.  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 this requirement.

3.  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

__jl____  ___wm___  ___ra_____  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001064293	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020314	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	HD	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19460822	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 615-365 .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.  251		
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.