2.  The applicant requests that his WD AGO Form 53-55, Report of Separation, be corrected to reflect that he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal for Austria and the Combat Medical Badge.

3.  He states that he served in World War II during the appropriate time periods to be eligible for the awards and requests that the medals and ribbons be issued to him.

4.  His military records show that he was inducted on 23 January 1943 and served 10 months and 16 days in the European Theater of Operations.  He was honorably discharged upon demobilization on 4 November 1945.

5.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, the American Theater Ribbon, the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon and the Bronze Star Medal.

6.  His record reflects also that he served as a litter bearer (medic) with an infantry unit and that he served with the Army of Occupation Forces in Austria until 15 July 1945.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards, provides that the World War II Victory Medal is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, and the Army of Occupation Medal is awarded for service of 30 consecutive days at a normal post of duty while assigned to Austria between 9 May 1945 and 27 July 1955.  Soldiers performing occupation duty in Austria will wear the clasp inscribed “Germany”.

8.  The same regulation provides that medical personnel assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size or to a medical unit of company or smaller size attached to an infantry unit of brigade or smaller size, during any period the infantry unit is engaged in actual ground combat, are eligible for award of the Combat Medical Badge provided they are personally present and under fire during such ground combat.


CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant served in the European Theater of Operations during the period required to be eligible for awards of the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany).

2.  Similarly, he is entitled to the Combat Medical Badge based upon his assignment to a medical unit providing direct support to an infantry unit engaged in combat.

3.   Therefore, it would be appropriate to award him the aforementioned decorations and correct his records accordingly.

4.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected 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 World War Victory Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal (Germany) and the Combat Medical Badge. 

2.  That he be furnished DA Form 1577, Authorization for Issuance of Awards, reflecting all the awards to which he is entitled.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON