| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. W. E. Schnupp | Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O'Connor | Chairperson | |
| Ms. Celia L. Adolphi | Member | |
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
1. The applicant requests, that he be awarded the Bronze Star Medal with “V” device.
2. The applicant states that on 8 November 1945, he was recommended for award of the Bronze Star with “V” for actions in the Philippines. The award was approved and forwarded, but he never received it because his unit was demobilized several days later.
3. In support of his request, he submits a copy of a recommendation for award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) prepared by his unit commander naming the applicant as the intended recipient.
4. The applicant's military records show that he enlisted on 23 July 1942, and was honorably discharged on 23 May 1943, to accept a commission. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations with the 533rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, from November 1943 to January 1946. He was honorably relieved from active duty on 20 March 1946 in the grade of captain.
5. His WD AGO Form 53-98 (Military Record and Report of Separation), shows the following awards: the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 bronze service stars.
6. The documentation provided by the applicant shows that on 8 November 1945, the applicant, then a 1st lieutenant, was recommended by his commander for the BSM for distinguishing himself in operations with the 19th Infantry Regiment during the period 20 May 45 to 15 June 1945. The recommendation makes no mention of a recommendation for valor. Neither the recommendation nor his records contain any evidence to show the final disposition (approval, disapproval or downgrade) of the award recommended.
7. Army Regulation 600-45, Decorations, the regulation then in effect, states in pertinent part, that during the period of military operations against the armed enemy and for 1 year thereafter, the following commanders are authorized to award the decorations indicated: The…BSM…may be awarded by the commanding general of any separate force outside the continental limits of the United States when the commander is a major general or officer of higher grade; and this authority may be delegated to subordinate commanders not below the grade of major general.
8. The same regulation provides that the BSM may be awarded to recognize meritorious service or single acts of merit. The letter “V” device is authorized to
indicate that an award was for heroism (valor) rather than for meritorious achievement or meritorious service. All orders awarding the BSM will specifically state whether the award was for heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.
9. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, shows that during the time of the applicant’s assignment to the 533rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, the unit was awarded the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for the period 17 October 1944 to 4 July 1945, assault landing credit for the Lingayen Gulf, Philippines Islands, on 9 January 1945, and occupation credit for the occupation of Japan from 25 November to 5 December 1945.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The documentation furnished by the applicant shows that he was recommended for the BSM for the period 20 May 1945 to 15 June 1945. Since the recommendation covers a period of time rather than a specific event or act, and does not indicate that it was for heroism (or with “V” device), the Board assumes that the award was intended for meritorious service. Service awards typically cover a period of time, whereas meritorious achievement and heroism awards generally pertain to individual events or acts.
2. While the award recommendation does not reflect the approval authority’s final action, and since the available records contain no evidence of the award, there is no way of knowing whether or not it was approved, downgraded or disapproved. However, considering the accomplishments reflected in the recommendation and the time and place of their occurrence, the Board will presume that had the recommendation reached the proper authority, it probably would have been approved for meritorious service. Therefore, the Board believes the applicant should be awarded the BSM for meritorious service.
3. Additionally, based on his period of service with the 533rd Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment, he is entitled to the following additional awards: assault landing credit (denoted by the addition of the arrowhead on his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal), the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan clasp.
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 BSM for meritorious service from 20 May to 15 June 1945, assault landing credit by adding the arrowhead to his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan clasp.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
__jth___ ____cla _jtm __ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
__________Raymond V. O'Connor_______
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2001058080 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020228 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (GRANT PLUS) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. 107.00 | |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080008275
The applicant requests administrative corrections to his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge), including 3, not 4, bronze campaign stars, and the Army of Occupation Medal. The applicant provides: a. Item 34 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 should be corrected to show Milne Bay, New Guinea vice Manila Bay, PI.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001063125C070421
Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register), dated 6 July 1961, will show whether or not a World War II unit was authorized occupation credit and, thus, entitlement to the Army Occupation Medal. The evidence of record also indicates the applicant is entitled to the AOM with Japan Clasp and credit for participation in the Luzon Campaign. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by issuing to the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002073217C070403
The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein. DISCUSSION : Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded: NOTE: The Army Review Boards Agency in St. Louis is requested to correct the applicant’s records to show award of the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002071671C070402
The records herein were provided by the applicant. The Board must consider that the applicant's leaders and medical personnel were aware of his injury and the circumstances of that injury but did not award him the Purple Heart. As presented, the evidence does not indicate that the applicant’s injuries were the result of enemy action and as such does not meet the criteria for award of the Purple Heart.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060011362
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 1 March 2007 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20060011362 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. X The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. The evidence confirms the applicant served in an infantry MOS, in a qualifying unit during his World War II...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001065580C070421
The applicant requests, on behalf of his late father, the former service member (FSM), that he be awarded a bronze star to his Philippine Liberation Medal, for the battle of Leyte, an arrowhead device to his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, for the assault landing at Angaur and the Combat Infantryman Badge because of his face-to-face combat with the enemy during World War II. Finally, he believes that the FSM is entitled to the Combat Infantryman Badge because he fought in combat as a member...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120004848
The applicant requests that his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) be corrected to show one bronze service star on his Philippine Liberation Medal and a machinegun bar on his Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge. However, there is no evidence of record and the applicant has not provided any evidence to show he was authorized award of an automatic rifle or machinegun bar to his Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge. Adding the awards of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130001542
Therefore, award of the CMB entitles him to award of the BSM and to correction of his records to show this award. The evidence shows that the applicant served as a combat medic; therefore, he is not eligible for the award of the CIB. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the CMB, effective 3 July 1944; b. awarding him the BSM based on award of the CMB; c. adding the CMB and the Parachutist...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2015 | 20150004254
The applicant, the son of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of his late father's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) to show award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) with "V" Device and bronze service arrowhead (currently known as an arrowhead device). This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080003069
Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards, campaign, and assault credits received by units serving during World War II. By letter dated 9 June 2005, the National Personnel Records Center informed the applicant he would be sent a number of awards; however, a bronze service star for the Philippine Liberation Ribbon was not listed as one of those awards/appurtenances. Based on the authorized campaigns of New Guinea,...