IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 25 April 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220009003 APPLICANT REQUESTS: * correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation – Honorable Discharge) for the period ending 14 March 1946 to show his service in Korea * correction of his branch and dates of service with Department of Veterans Affairs APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record under the Provisions of Title 10, U.S. Code, Section 1552) * Photographs * Army of Occupation Certificate, 25 December 1945 * WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record) covering the period 20 July 1943 through 14 March 1946 * WD AGO Form 53-280 (Honorable Discharge Certificate), 14 March 1946 * WD AGO Form 53-55 * Letter from the VA, 14 July 2011 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant states his Army honorable discharge document shows he served in the battle of Okinawa (invasion 1 April 1945) and Ryukus Islands in the Pacific theater. However, it does not state he was also dispatched with his unit, the 57th Signal Service Battalion, 10th U.S. Army, to Korea on 21 June 1945 and served there. He would like to have his service in Korea added to his military records. In addition, a letter from the VA incorrectly lists him as being discharged from the Air Force. He was in the Army-Air Force pilot cadet program for pilot training. This program was eventually cancelled and he was assigned to the Army. Therefore, he was discharged from the Army. 3. The applicant's complete military records are not available for review. The National Archives and Records Administration official website states a disastrous fire at the National Personnel Records Center on 12 July 1973 destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. The fire affected approximately 80 percent of the records of Army personnel discharged between 1 November 1912 and 1 January 1960. It is believed that the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. His available records consist solely of his WD Form 372A (Final Payment – Worksheet). This case is being considered based on the evidence he provided and his WD Form 372A. 4. Correction of Department of Veterans Affairs records is not under the purview of the ABCMR. As a result, this portion of his request will not be discussed further in this record of proceedings. 5. He provided photographs of himself at the 57th Signal Repair Company at an unknown location. 6. He provided a certificate from an unidentified source "on the Korea Peninsula," 25 December 1945, stating he served in the Army of Occupation with his friends and associates in Korea on this date. 7. His WD Form 372A (best copy), undated, shows he was transferred from Korea in February 1946 and arrived in the United States in March 1946. He received foreign service pay for February and March 1946. 8. His WD AGO Form 100 covering the period 20 July 1943 through 14 March 1946 shows he served with Company A, 3180th Signal Service Battalion, as a radio repairman in the Asiatic Pacific theater of operations. 9. His WD AGO Form 53-280, 14 March 1946, shows he was honorably discharged from active duty. His unit of assignment is shown as Company A, 3180th Signal Service Battalion. 10. His WD AGO Form 53-55 for the period ending 14 March 1946 shows in: * item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) – Ryukyus and Okinawa * item 36 (Service Outside Continental United States and Return) – * departed the United States en route to the Asiatic Pacific Theater on 19 February 1945 and arrived on 25 February 1945 * departed the Asiatic Pacific Theater en route to the United States on 20 February 1946 and arrived on 4 March 1946 BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the applicant's military records, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The applicant's contentions, his military records, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The evidence of record shows the applicant served on active duty from 6 July 1943 to 14 March 1946. During this period, he departed the United States to the Asiatic Pacific Theater (APT) on 19 February 1945 and arrived on 25 February 1945. He departed the APT back to the United States on 20 February 1946 and arrived on 4 March 1946. His WD AGO Form 100 covering the period 20 July 1943 through 14 March 1946, and his Honorable Discharge Certificate, both show he served with Company A, 3180th Signal Service Battalion, as a radio repairman in the APT. In addition to the lack of evidence of service in Korea, the specific instructions for the WD AGO Form 53-55 stated to enter the date of departure, destination, and date of arrival for each movement between theaters and between a theater and the United States. The Board determined relief is not warranted. ? BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING :X :X :X DENY APPLICATION 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. 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. ? REFERENCES: 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 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. 2. Department of the Army Technical Manual 12-236 (Preparation of Separation Forms), 1 April 1945, stated the purpose of the separation form is to provide the veteran with a separation certificate and a Military or Enlisted Record and Report of Separation. Copies of the Military or Enlisted Record and Report of Separation produced will serve as vital War Department records and as notification to interested Governmental agencies which assist the veteran in obtaining his rights and benefits. a. The general instructions stated the following records would be used as a basis for preparation of the separation form for enlisted personnel: * WD AGO Form 24 (Service Record) * WD AGO Form 20 (Qualification Card) * WD AGO Form 8-117 (Immunization Register) * WD AGO Form 40 (Certificate of Disability for Discharge), when applicable * citations * general court-martial orders, when applicable * WD AGO Form 100, when applicable b. The specific instructions for item 32 stated to enter battles or campaigns as authorized by War Department general orders. c. The specific instructions for item 36 stated to enter the date of departure, destination, and date of arrival for each movement between theaters and between a theater and the United States. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220009003 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1