| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. William Blakely | Analyst |
| Ms. Shirley L. Powell | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Stanley Kelley | Member | |
| Mr. Elzey J. Arledge, Jr. | Member |
2. The applicant requests, in effect, that his military records be corrected to show he held the rank of Technician 5th Grade (TEC 5) at the time of his discharge.
3. The applicant states, in effect, that he held the rank of TEC 5 at the time of his separation and that his separation document (WD AGO Form 53) incorrectly shows his rank as private first class (PFC). In support of his application, he submits copies of medical treatment records that show he held the rank of
TEC 5 at the time he was treated.
4. The applicant's military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire in 1973. The information herein was gleaned from a copy of the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53.
5. The applicant’s WD AGO Form 53 shows that he entered the Army on
9 August 1946, and that he continuously served on active duty for 3 years,
1 month, and 5 days until being honorably separated on 13 September 1949. This document also shows that he was trained and served as a printer and that he served overseas for 1 year, 11 months, 24 days. It also shows that during his active duty tenure he earned the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal.
6. Item 3 (Grade) of the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53 contains the entry PFC, which indicates he held that grade on the date of his separation. Item 38 (Highest Grade Held) contains the entry Grade V/PFC, which indicates this was the highest grade he held while serving on active duty.
7. The medical treatment records, dated in 1947 and 1948, do indicate the applicant held the rank of TEC 5. However, on 1 August 1948, the enlisted grade structure of the Army was revised and the rank of TEC 5 was converted to PFC.
8. The applicant’s file contains no derogatory information and there is no indication that he was ever disqualified from receiving the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM) by any of the unit commanders for which he served during his tenure on active duty.
9. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the Good Conduct Medal (GCMDL) is awarded to individuals who distinguish themselves by their conduct, efficiency and fidelity during a qualifying period of active duty enlisted service. This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service. Although there is no automatic entitlement to the Good Conduct Medal, disqualification must be justified.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The Board notes the applicant’s contention that his separation document should be corrected to show his rank as TEC 5. However, it finds no error or injustice related to the PFC rank entries in Items 3 and 38 of his separation document. Although he held the rank of TEC 5 during his tenure on active duty, the PFC entries in his separation document are correct based on the Army’s
1 August 1948 change to the enlisted rank structure. Therefore, the Board is compelled to deny this requested relief.
2. The available evidence does verify that the applicant served a qualifying period of service that entitles him to receive the AGCM. Therefore, lacking any derogatory information on file that would disqualify him from receiving the award or a formal disqualification from any of the unit commander’s for which he served, the Board concludes it would be appropriate to award him the AGCM at this time.
3. 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 awarding the individual concerned the Army Good Conduct Medal for his honorable active military service from 9 August 1946 to 13 September 1949; and by providing him a corrected separation document that reflects this change.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
__SLP__ __SK __ __EJA___ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
__Shirley L. Powell__
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2001065935 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 2002/03/19 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (Partial Relief) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| 1. | 100.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20120004185
The applicant requests correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge) to show his rank as a Technician Fourth Grade (T-4) instead of corporal (Cpl). The applicant's military records are not available to the Board for review. The Enlisted Grade Structure in the Army has changed several times since 1942.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100014974
The applicant, the widow of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of her husband's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge) to show his rank as a Sergeant First Class (SFC) instead of a Technical Sergeant (T/Sgt). The evidence of record shows the FSM served on active duty from 20 January 1944 through 5 June 1946. The rank "SFC" did not exist during his military service.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130017664
His DA Form 20 (Soldier's Qualification Record) shows he held the grade of Sgt upon enlistment in and discharge from the USAR. The evidence of record shows the applicant served in an active duty status from 23 September 1946 to 4 August 1948. However, a few days before his discharge, the Army changed the rank structure.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001061979C070421
The applicant requests, in effect, that his military records be corrected to show the rank of Technician 5 th Grade (TEC 5). On 14 September 1945, the applicant was honorably discharged from the Army, in the rank of PVT. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing, in item 38 (Highest Grade Held) of his WD AGO Form 53-55, that the highest rank held by the individual concerned on active duty was TEC 5; by showing he earned the Bronze Star...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003083888C070212
The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein. APPLICANT REQUESTS: In effect, that his military records be corrected to show the rank of technician 5 th Grade (Tec 5). The Board notes the applicant’s contention that his military records be corrected to show the rank of Tec 5.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130017339
The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Service) to show the rank of corporal (CPL) instead of the rank of private first class (PFC). The applicant's military records are not available to the Board for review. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he held the rank of PFC at the time of separation and the highest rank he held while on active duty was CPL.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120021730
The applicant requests correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) to show: * his rank as sergeant (SGT) vice private first class (PFC) * award of the Bronze Star Medal 2. The applicant's complete military records are not available for review. Unfortunately, there are no orders in his reconstructed record that show he was promoted or appointed to SGT.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001060369C070421
The applicant requests, in effect, that his military records be corrected to show the rank of sergeant first class (SFC) as the highest rank he held while on active duty, his correct unit of assignment, and all awards and decorations to which he is entitled. While the Board wishes to congratulate the applicant on his outstanding World War II service, it finds the available evidence confirms only that he held the rank of TEC 5 on the date of his separation and that the highest rank he held...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002068991C070402
The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein. APPLICANT STATES : That his discharge certificate shows his rank as PFC and discharge date as 20 November 1948. The Board notes his contentions; however, the applicant’s records show he was separated in the rank of Tec 5, grade 5 on 20 November 1945 and issued a WD AGO 53-55 and discharge certificate for this period of service.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002077657C070215
The evidence of record confirms that the applicant honorably served on active duty from 13 December 1943 through 30 January 1947. Lacking any derogatory information on file that would have disqualified him, the Board concludes it would be appropriate to award the applicant the first award of the AGCM for the 3 year qualifying period from 13 December 1943 through 12 December 1946. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by awarding the individual...