PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           3 June 2003                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002082561

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Joann Langston		Chairperson	
	Ms. Jennifer L. Prater		Member	
	Mr. Paul M. Smith		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests, in effect, award of the Parachutist Badge. 

3.  The applicant states that he completed jump school after basic training.  He also contends that he received $50 extra a month for jumping and being willing to jump when asked and that he jumped out of an airplane during World War II.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation).

4.  The applicant’s military records have been lost or destroyed.  This case is being considered using reconstructed records.  The applicant's reconstructed records consist primarily of the WD AGO Form 53-55 and two WD Forms 372A (Final Payment - Work Sheet).

5.  The applicant's reconstructed records show he was inducted on 23 August 1943.  He served as an artillery crewman in the European Theater of Operations from 4 May 1944 through 15 August 1945 and was honorably discharged on 
14 November 1945.   

6.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Parachutist Badge as an authorized award.

7.  There are no orders for the Parachutist Badge in the available records.  However, the applicant's WD Form 372A (Final Payment - Work Sheet) shows he received parachute pay during the period 1 August 1945 to 22 August 1945. 

8.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal as an authorized award.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 also shows that he participated in five campaigns during World War II.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), currently in effect, sets forth requirements for award of the basic Parachutist Badge.  Award of the basic Parachutist Badge requires that an individual must have satisfactorily completed the prescribed proficiency tests while assigned or attached to an airborne unit or the Airborne Department of the Infantry School, or have participated in at least one combat parachute jump.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes award of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal for qualifying service in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations for the period 7 December 1941 to 8 November 1945.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 also authorizes a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation or listed in item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of the WD AGO Form 53-55.  The regulation states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate campaign or service medal including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.  
11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that a silver service star is authorized in lieu of five bronze service stars.
  
CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence of record supports the applicant's request for award of the Parachutist Badge.  The applicant's WD Form 372A (Final Payment - Work Sheet) shows that he received parachute pay during the period 1 August 1945 to 22 August 1945.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show award of the Parachutist Badge.   

2.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal as an authorized award.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 also shows that he participated in five campaigns during World War II.  Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show award of the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver service star.  

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the Parachutist Badge and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one silver service star.

BOARD VOTE:  

JL_____  JLP_____  PMS_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_Joann Langston________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002082561	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20030603	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	GRANT PLUS	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0120	
2.	107.0065	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.