2.  The applicant requests correction of his military records to reflect award of two Purple Hearts, two Bronze Star Medals, the Army Occupation Medal and the Belgian Fourragere.  He notes he was issued the awards in 1965 but they were never entered on his separation report.

3.  Although the applicant’s military personnel records were apparently lost or destroyed during the 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center information reconstructed from alternative sources indicates he served on active duty from 11 September 1942 until 29 November 1945.

4.  He arrived in the European Theater of Operations on 
15 September 1943 where he performed duties as an infantryman with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment and was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.  According to his service medical records he was wounded on two separate occasions as a result of hostile fire; once on 13 June 1944 and again on 17 September 1944.

5.  He returned to the United States in November 1945 and was released from active duty as a result of demobilization. While his WD AGO Form 53-55 (report of separation) reflects award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and two U.S. unit decorations awarded to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment it does not reflect award of either Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal or any foreign decorations awarded to the applicant’s unit.

6.  Subsequent to the applicant’s separation, in 1965, the U.S. Army Reserve Personnel Command awarded the applicant a Bronze Star Medal as a conversion award based on the applicant’s Combat Infantryman Badge.  While the applicant’s reconstructed records do not contain a copy of the applicant’s initial award of the Bronze Star Medal the certificate issued in 1965 as part of the Bronze Star Medal conversion award indicates the 1965 award was a second award (first oak leaf cluster).  It is likely the applicant’s original records, which are no longer available, contained evidence of the initial award and hence the conversion award was issued as an oak leaf cluster.

7.  A review of Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (unit citation and campaign participation credit register) notes the applicant’s unit was granted occupation credit for Germany during the period 1 April through 1 August 1945.  Additionally, the pamphlet notes the applicant’s unit was awarded three foreign unit decorations while he was a member of the organization; a French Fourragere for the period 
6 June through 8 June 1944, a Netherlands Orange Lanyard for the period 17 September through 28 November 1944, and a Belgian Fourragere for the period 22 December through 
27 December 1944.  Each of the foreign unit awards were accepted by the U.S. Government and announced in Department of the Army General Orders in 1950.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record confirms the applicant was wounded on two separate occasions during World War II, once in June 1944 and again in September 1944.

2.  The evidence also indicates that he was awarded two Bronze Star Medals, one of which was awarded in 1965 as a conversion award based on the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant is entitled to an Army Occupation Medal with Germany clasp, the French Fourragere, Netherlands Orange Lanyard and the Belgian Fourragere, all of which were awarded the applicant’s unit while he was assigned to the organization.

4.  In view of the foregoing, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected:

	a.  by awarding the individual concerned two Purple Hearts, one for wounds sustained on 13 June 1944 and the other for wounds sustained on 17 September 1944;

	b.  by showing that he was awarded two Bronze Star Medal for his service during World War II, one of which was based on award of the his Combat Infantryman Badge; 

	c.  by awarding him the Army Occupation Medal with Germany clasp; and

	d.  by showing that he is entitled to the French Fourragere, Netherlands Orange Lanyard and the Belgian Fourragere.

BOARD VOTE:  

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION




		                           
		        CHAIRPERSON