PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           1 April 2003       
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002079918

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Arthur A. Omartian		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas B. Redfern		Member	
	Mr. Thomas E. O'Shaughnessy		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 award of the Combat Medical Badge.

3.  The applicant states that he was a combat medic while assigned to the 
126th Combat Engineer Battalion during World War II.  He contends that he served as a combat medic for over seven months through the North Apennines and Po Valley campaigns.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation); a copy of his WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record); and a letter, dated 
2 August 2001, from the Department of Veterans Affairs.   

4.  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 enlisted on 
23 September 1942.  He served as a surgical technician in the European Theater of Operations from 18 January 1945 through 2 August 1945 and was honorably discharged on 22 November 1945.

5.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Combat Medical Badge as an authorized award.

6.  There are no orders for the Combat Medical Badge in the available records.

7.  The applicant's War Department Form 372A (Final Payment - Work Sheet) does not show that he received medical badge pay.

8.  In support of his claim for award of the Combat Medical Badge, the applicant provided a copy of his WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record).  This form indicates that the applicant was in charge of the dispensary in a battalion aid station in combat.

9.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal as an authorized award.  Item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) on his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he participated in two campaigns during World War II. 

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Combat Medical Badge is awarded to medical department personnel (colonel and below) who are assigned or attached to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size which is engaged in active ground combat.  Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy and the soldier must have been personally present and under fire during such ground combat.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal for qualifying service in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations for the period 7 December 1941 to 8 November 1945.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also authorizes a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate campaign or service medal including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.  

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The Board noted the applicant's contention that he was a combat medic while assigned to the 126th Combat Engineer Battalion during World War II.  However, there is no evidence available to the Board which shows the applicant was assigned to a medical unit which was organic to an infantry unit as required for award of the Combat Medical Badge during World War II.  There is also no evidence that he was awarded or qualified for award of the Combat Medical Badge.  Therefore, the Board determined that there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Combat Medical Badge in this case. 

2.  The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the EAME Campaign Medal as an authorized award.  However, evidence of record shows the applicant participated in two battles and campaigns during World War II which are not correctly shown by award of two bronze service stars for wear on his EAME Campaign Medal.  Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, the applicant is entitled to the EAME with two bronze service stars and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show these awards.   

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars.

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

BOARD VOTE:  

AAO____  TBR____  TEO_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Arthur A. Omartian____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002079918	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20030401	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	 	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0113	
2.	107.0065	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.