| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| MR. Hubert S. Shaw, Jr. | Analyst |
| Ms. Deborah S. Jacobs | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Elzey J. Arledge | Member | |
| Mr. Donald P. Hupman | Member |
2. The applicant requests correction of his records to show that he was captured by the German Army near Grantorto, Italy, and held as prisoner of war from 28 April to 2 May 1945.
3. The applicant states that his military record omits the facts regarding his capture and prisoner of war status.
4. The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show that he was inducted on 20 September 1942 and entered active duty on 5 October 1942. He served in the European Theater of Operations from 24 December 1943 to 20 August 1945 and was honorably discharged on 29 October 1945.
5. The applicant’s records contain a Proceeding of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records, dated 3 November 1993, which considered the same request submitted to this Board in an application, dated 23 May 2001. On 3 November 1993, the Board granted the requested relief and amended the applicant’s records with a DD Form 215 (Correction to Certificate of Release or Discharge) and forwarded a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards) directing the Prisoner of War Medal be issued to him. The applicant was notified of these facts and provided copies of these documents by separate correspondence.
6. The Board noted that the applicant was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge by Headquarters 350th Infantry Regiment General Order Number 12, dated 1944. The Board also noted that he received award of the Bronze Star Medal by 88th Infantry Division General Order Number 91, dated 1945.
7. There is no indication in the available records that the applicant received award of the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
8. The Board noted that the applicant accrued 1 year, 3 months and 27 days of “Continental Service”, but there is no indication in his records that he received the American Campaign Medal.
9. The applicant’s records do not show award of the World War II Victory Medal.
10. Army Regulation 600-8-22 also provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy. The Bronze Star Medal is authorized for each individual who was cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945 or whose achievement or service, during that period, was confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947. An award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or the Combat Medical Badge is considered to be a citation in orders. This means, in effect, that the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized either badge for service during World War II. This provision did not go into effect until 10 September 1947 when Change 12 to Army Regulation 600-45 (Decorations) was published.
11. The bronze oak leaf cluster is awarded to denote the second and succeeding awards of certain decorations, among which is the Bronze Star Medal.
12. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the American Campaign Medal. This campaign medal is awarded for qualifying service in the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946. Qualifying service includes permanent assignment outside the continental United States, duty as a crewmember aboard a vessel sailing ocean waters for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or duty outside the continental United States as a passenger or in a temporary duty status for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by a corps commander or higher, or service within the continental United States for an aggregate period of one year.
13. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the World War II Victory Medal. It is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Evidence of record shows that the applicant’s records were corrected to show that he was a prisoner of war during World War II and that he was awarded the Prisoner of War Medal. Therefore, his records are correct as currently constituted and no further action is required by the Board in regard to his prisoner of war status and award of the Prisoner of War Medal.
2. Evidence of record shows the applicant received the Combat Infantryman Badge and a previous award of the Bronze Star Medal. As a result, he is entitled to a second award of the Bronze Star Medal which is based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
3. Evidence of record shows the applicant performed “Continental Service” which qualified him for award of the American Campaign Medal. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show that he was awarded the American Campaign Medal.
4. Based on the applicant’s service during World War II, he is entitled to award of the World War II Victory Medal.
5. In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) which is based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
__DPH__ __DSJ___ ___EJA__ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
__Ms. Deborah S. Jacobs__
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2001058658 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20011106 |
| 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 | MR SCHNEIDER |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0000.0000 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001058682C070421
The applicant’s records do not show that he was a prisoner of war and there is no indication that the applicant ever received the Prisoner of War Medal. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to award of the Prisoner of War Medal and correction of his records to show that he was a prisoner of war. The applicant completed over one year of “Continental Service”; therefore, he is entitled to award of the American Campaign Medal and correction of his records to show this award.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001058694C070421
The applicant states his military record omits the facts regarding his capture by German soldiers and prisoner of war status during World War II. The applicant’s records do not show that he was a prisoner of war. Therefore, he is entitled to award of the Prisoner of War Medal and correction of his records to show this award.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001058696C070421
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. The Board noted that the applicant applied to the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) on 19 April 1991 wherein he requested correction of his records to show that he was a prisoner of war. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to award of the Prisoner of War Medal and correction of his records...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 2004102162C070208
The applicant requests, in effect, that the Prisoner of War Medal and the Bronze Star Medal be added to his Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Honorable Discharge, WD AGO Form 53-55. The applicant served in the Army of the United States honorably from 5 June 1942 until 3 October 1945. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding the applicant the Bronze Star Medal; the Prisoner of War Medal; the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130013056
His father was never awarded the Prisoner of War Medal which he requested after his father died. c. If the Board states his father doesn't meet the requirements for the Combat Infantryman Badge and Bronze Star Medal, then the Board is saying his father never served as an infantryman, in combat, against a hostile enemy. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: * awarding the FSM the Combat Infantryman Badge during...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140005577
The applicant requests correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, Honorable Service) to show the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal and two awards of the Bronze Star Medal. The applicant provides: * WD AGO Form 53-55 * WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record) * Honorable Discharge Certificate * Two certificates showing two awards of the Bronze Star Medal CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002080483C070215
The applicant requests correction of his records to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. However, evidence available to the Board shows the applicant was awarded MOS 378 and served with the 36th Engineer Regiment during World War II. Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show award of the POW Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090011847
The applicant provides the FSM's Certificate of Death, Marriage License, WD AGO Form 53-98 (Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service), VA documents, and the letter and attachments the applicant submitted to her Congressional Representative. There is no documentation in the reconstructed records that shows the FSM was a POW. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding the FSM the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001058683C070421
The Board determined that the 8 August 1945 document, which lists the FSM among those members of Cannon Company of the 350th Infantry Regiment as prisoners of war on 29 April 1945, is sufficient as a basis for award of the Prisoner of War Medal in this specific case. Therefore, the FSM is entitled to award of the Prisoner of War Medal and correction of his records to show that he was a prisoner of war. a. by awarding the FSM the Prisoner of War Medal and by correcting his records to show...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090005120
The applicants military records are not available to the Board for review. This means, in effect, that the Bronze Star Medal is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized the Combat Infantryman Badge for service during World War II. His WD AGO Form 53-55 should be corrected to show award of the Bronze Star Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 bronze service stars, World War II Victory Medal, and Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp.