BOARD DATE: 13 June 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160014307 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x_____ ____x____ ___x_____ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 13 June 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160014307 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. _____________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: 13 June 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160014307 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, in effect, correction of item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) on his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation – Honorable Discharge) to show two bronze service stars. 2. The applicant states he is a World War II veteran and he served in the European-African-Middle-Eastern (EAME) theater of operations, Philippines, and Guam. 3. The applicant provides: * self-authored letter, dated 29 July 2016 * WD AGO Form 53-55 * letter from the National Personnel Records Center, dated 22 June 2016 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 complete 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 the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of his case. 3. His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows: * he entered active duty on 3 October 1944 * he served in the European theater of operations from 8 April 1945 to 10 September 1946 * in item 32 – the entry "NONE CORRECTION – ONE BATTLE STAR" * he was awarded EAME Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal * his organization at the time of his separation was the 3385th Quartermaster Truck Company * he was honorably discharged on 12 December 1946 * he was separated from the service under partial service records 4. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows awards and citations authorized for units that served during WWII. This pamphlet shows the 3385th Quartermaster Truck Company participated in the Luzon (15 December 1944 to 4 July 1945) campaign during World War II. 5. The available records do not show he served in a second battle or campaign during World War II. REFERENCES: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states a bronze service star is authorized based on qualifying service for each campaign listed in appendix B or listed in item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of the WD AGO Form 53-55. DISCUSSION: 1. Item 32 of the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the entry "NONE CORRECTION – ONE BATTLE STAR," but he contends he is eligible for two bronze service stars. 2. There is no evidence showing he participated in two battles or campaigns during World War II and Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 shows his organization participated in one campaign during World War II. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160014307 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160014307 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2