| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Mr. Arthur A. Omartian | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Thomas Lanyi | Member | |
| Mr. Harry B. Oberg | Member |
2. The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his military records to show he was separated from active duty on 23 September 1945 with the rank of corporal. He also requests that he be compensated for this one-grade promotion.
3. The applicant states that he was a prisoner of war in Germany from
14 February 1943 to 12 May 1945. He contends that he recently learned that the Army promoted prisoners of war one rank when they were released from active duty because of their prisoner of war status. He states that he was a private first class when he was captured and was a private first class when he was discharged. In support of his application, he submits a statement, dated
27 January 2003; a Rating Decision from the Veterans Administration, dated
26 April 1984; and a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation).
4. The applicant’s military records have been lost or destroyed. This case is being considered using reconstructed records. The applicant's reconstructed records consist primarily of the WD AGO Form 53-55 which shows he was inducted on 17 February 1942. He served as a supply clerk in the European Theater of Operations from 26 December 1942 through 1 June 1945 and was honorably discharged on 23 September 1945.
5. At the time of the applicant's separation from active duty, his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows in item 3 (Grade) that he was discharged with the rank of private first class. Item 38 (Highest Grade Held) indicates that the highest rank the applicant held was private first class.
6. There are no promotion orders in the available records. The applicant's final payment worksheet is not available.
7. The applicant’s name is listed in the Adjutant General’s Roster of Prisoners of War which was compiled in 1950. This document shows that the applicant was a prisoner of war in the rank of private first class from 14 March 1943 to 12 May 1945 in Germany.
8. War Department General Staff Disposition Form, dated 24 September 1945, Subject: Promotion of Recovered Prisoners of War, directed that upon their return to military control, necessary action would be taken to promote one grade all enlisted personnel below the grade of master sergeant who were in the status of prisoner of war, evader or escapee, provided such personnel were in such status for a period of 18 months or longer and provided further that the circumstances surrounding their loss to the Army were honorable.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Evidence of record shows the applicant was a prisoner of war in the rank of private first class from 14 March 1943 to 12 May 1945, a total of 26 months. Evidence of record also shows the applicant was discharged with the rank of private first class. Based on the foregoing, the Board determined that the applicant is entitled to a one-grade promotion to corporal in accordance with the War Department General Staff Disposition Form, dated 24 September 1945, and compensation. Therefore, item 3 on the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 should be corrected to show corporal instead of private first class.
2. 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 applicant was promoted to corporal on 12 May 1945 and separated from active duty with the rank of corporal on 23 September 1945.
2. That the applicant be authorized any due pay and allowances.
BOARD VOTE:
AAO___ TL______ HBO____ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
__Arthur A. Omartian__
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2003085876 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20030828 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 131.0000 |
| 2. | 128.1400 |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002080924C070215
The applicant requests, in effect, correction of his military records to show he was separated from active duty on 9 December 1945 with the rank of corporal. The applicant's reconstructed records show the applicant was inducted on 25 May 1943. That so much of the application as pertains to correction of his military records to show he was separated from active duty on 9 December 1945 with the rank of corporal be denied.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070008788C071029
The applicant provided a letter from his former platoon sergeant in the reconstituted Company F, who stated the acting commander of the new company had the names of the men who were to be promoted to squad leaders (Staff Sergeants) [and] to be given to the company clerk. There is no evidence of record at this late date to show the applicant was recommended for promotion to Staff Sergeant (and any “promotion” by the Company F commander would have been a temporary appointment). The evidence...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070011300
The applicant requests correction of his Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge (WD AGO Form 53-55) to show his rank as master sergeant. The applicant's military records are not available to the Board for review. The available evidence clearly shows that the applicant was a POW for 22 months.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080013783
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). The applicant requests that his separation grade of corporal be changed to the grade of sergeant based on his having been a prisoner of war for over 27 months in Germany. War Department General Staff Disposition Form, dated 24 September 1945, Subject: Promotion of Recovered Prisoners of War, directed that upon their return to military control, necessary action would be taken to promote one grade...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050017297C070206
There is no evidence in the available records which shows the applicant was promoted to sergeant prior to his discharge on 30 November 1945. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was a private first class at the time of his discharge on 30 November 1945. Although item 38 on the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows his highest grade held was sergeant, there is no evidence of record which shows he was promoted to sergeant prior to his discharge.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001060061C070421
There is no evidence in the available records which shows the applicant was promoted to sergeant/grade 4. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, for award of the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal. Accordingly, he is entitled to correction of his military records to show that he was separated in the rank of corporal/grade 5.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060017416
The applicant provides two eyewitness statements, dated 23 November 2006 and 17 November 2006; a Certificate of Achievement; a photograph of a Soldier; a newspaper article; and a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-55. The applicants military records are not available to the Board for review. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was a private first class at the time of his discharge on 25 December 1945.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120003453
The applicant requests his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) be corrected to show his Prisoner of War (POW) status and to show his rank as corporal (CPL). The POW promotion policy established in the POW WD letter stated, in pertinent part, that an interview would be conducted with all recovered personnel to secure information for consideration by the appropriate appointing authority in determining their qualifications for an immediate one grade advancement. As a...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2015 | 20150004301
The FSM's military records are not available to the Board for review. The FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the following information: a. he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 16 February 1942; b. he served in the European Theater of Operations from 22 June 1943 to 1 May 1945; c. he participated in the following four campaigns: * Sicily * Naples-Foggia * Rome-Arno * Central Germany d. he was awarded the : * Army Good Conduct Medal * Presidential Unit Citation * European African...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100023078
The applicant requests that his records be corrected to show he was promoted to the rank of private first class (PFC) at the time of discharge. The applicant states at the end of World War II (WWII) all privates were promoted to the rank of PFC; however, this was not done in his case. _________X_____________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.