2. The applicant requests that he be awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) for meritorious service during World War II.
3. He states that apparently the original recommendation for the BSM was submitted during the time his unit was in actual combat and as a result was misplaced or lost. In support of his request, he furnishes an affidavit from a former officer in his unit who indicates that the applicant was recommended for the BSM by his battery commander. He also includes a copy of a Presentation of Battle Honors booklet which identifies his unit as being cited for outstanding performance of duty against the enemy.
4. His military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. Information herein was obtained from reconstructed personnel records which show he was inducted on 18 July 1942 and served 1 year, 4 months and 15 days in the European Theater of Operations. He was honorably discharged as a corporal at demobilization on 22 February 1946.
5. His WD AGO Form 53-55, Report of Separation, shows that he was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
6. The affidavit submitted in support of his request is from a captain who was an assistant operations officer in the same battalion with the applicant. He attests to the fact that the applicants commander recommended him for award of the BSM for actions in France from 12 through 16 September 1944.
7. Army Regulation 600-22-8 provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy; or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The record shows that the applicant was a member of a unit cited for outstanding performance of duty in action against the enemy. Additionally, supporting documentation submitted on his behalf by a third party familiar with the action, attests not only to the applicants involvement but to the fact that his commander recommended him for a BSM for his manner of performance in that action.
2. While the available records do not unequivocally establish that a BSM was ever approved for him, considering the exigencies of war and the applicants actions as described in the supporting statement, it is reasonable to presume that the recommendation was approved and the paperwork was inadvertently lost.
3. In view of the foregoing, it would be appropriate to resolve all doubt in favor of the applicant and correct his records 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 a BSM for meritorious service during the period 12 through 16 September 1944.
BOARD VOTE:
GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
GRANT FORMAL HEARING
DENY APPLICATION
CHAIRPERSON
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