| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Robert J. McGowan | Analyst |
| Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Thomas Lanyi | Member | |
| Mr. Jose A. Martinez | Member |
2. The applicant requests that his records be corrected to show that he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) based upon his award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).
3. The applicant states that he was awarded the CIB during World War II and should have received the BSM as a "conversion award." In support of his application, he provides a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge, a letter, and a statement.
4. The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. Information herein was obtained from the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 and shows that he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 14 November 1942.
5. The applicant departed the United States on 1 July 1944 and arrived in the European Theater of Operations on 15 July 1944. He was assigned to the 349th Infantry Regiment, 88th Infantry Division with duty as an infantryman. The 88th Infantry Division operated in Italy during World War II.
6. The applicant spent almost 14 months in Italy before returning to the United States on 22 August 1945. He was honorably discharged on 24 October 1945. His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he participated in two campaigns in Italy, North Appennines and Po Valley. He was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Purple Heart for wounds received on 7 October 1944, and the CIB.
7. Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) sets forth Department of the Army criteria, policy and instructions concerning individual military awards, the Good Conduct Medal, service medals and service ribbons, combat and special skill badges and tabs, unit decorations, and trophies and similar devices awarded in recognition of accomplishments. It states, in pertinent part:
a. The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) 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.
b. The American Campaign Medal (ACM) is awarded for qualifying service of 1 aggregate year in the American Theater between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946.
c. The World War II Victory Medal (WWII Victory Medal) is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.
d. A Bronze Service Star, based on qualifying service, is awarded for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation and states that authorized BSS will be worn on the appropriate service medal. The applicant's records show that he was present with his unit during three campaigns, North Appennines, Po Valley, and Rome-Arno.
8. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in World War II. This document shows the unit to which the applicant was assigned was cited for award of the French Croix de Guerre for the period 1 December 1943 to 31 July 1944 by Department of the Army General Order Number 43, dated 1950.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. According to the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55, he is entitled to award of the BSM based upon his having been awarded the CIB.
2. The applicant is also entitled to award of the ACM, WWII Victory Medal, 3 BSS for his EAME Campaign Medal, and the French Croix de Guerre.
3. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 should also be corrected to reflect his participation in the Rome-Arno Campaign.
4. 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 issuing to the individual concerned a DD Form 215, Correction to DD Form 214 [and, in this case, WD AGO Form 53-55] showing that he participated in the Rome-Arno Campaign, and that he was awarded the BSM, ACM, WWII Victory Medal, 3 BSS for his EAME Campaign Medal, and the French Croix de Guerre.
BOARD VOTE:
__INW___ __TL____ __JAM__ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
_Irene N. Wheelwright__
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2001064205 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20011218 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | DASA |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0014 |
| 2. | 107.0056 |
| 3. | 107.0063 |
| 4. | 107.0066 |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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