BOARD DATE: 22 June 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160000595 BOARD VOTE: __x_______ __x_____ _x____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 22 June 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160000595 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the following service medals to his WD AGO Form 55: * Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal * World War II Victory Medal * Honorable Service Lapel Button ___________x______________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. BOARD DATE: 22 June 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160000595 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests correction of his WD AGO Form 55 (Honorable Discharge from the Army of the United States – Enlisted Record) to show his authorized service medals. 2. The applicant states his service medals were not shown on his discharge record. 3. The applicant provides: * WD AGO Form 55 * National Archives and Records Administration Form 13038, issued 5 August 2013 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant's military records are not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed that his records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, the applicant has provided sufficient documents for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 3. On 31 March 1941, he was inducted into the Army of the United States. On 29 July 1941, he was assigned to the 98th Coast Artillery Regiment (Antiaircraft Artillery). 4. He was stationed at Schofield Barracks, Territory of Hawaii, until 4 May 1942 when he returned to the United States. 5. His WD AGO Form 55 shows he was honorably discharged on 19 June 1942. He completed 1 year, 2 months, and 7 days of service for longevity pay. This form shows no decorations or service medals. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. a. The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is awarded for service within the Asiatic-Pacific theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946. b. The World War II Victory Medal is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive. c. The Honorable Service Lapel Button (World War II Victory Medal) is authorized for honorable Federal military service between 8 September 1939 and 31 December 1946. DISCUSSION: 1. The applicant contends his WD AGO Form 55 does not show all his authorized service medals. 2. A review of the available evidence shows he is authorized the following service medals and lapel button: * Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal * World War II Victory Medal * Honorable Service Lapel Button (World War II Victory Medal) //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160000595 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160000595 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2