RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


      IN THE CASE OF:


      BOARD DATE:        18 October 2005
      DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20050003706


      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.

|     |Mr. Carl W. S. Chun               |     |Director             |
|     |Mr. Michael J. Fowler             |     |Analyst              |

      The following members, a quorum, were present:

|     |Mr. John Slone                    |     |Chairperson          |
|     |Ms. Linda D. Simmons              |     |Member               |
|     |Mr. Kenneth W. Lapin              |     |Member               |

      The Board considered the following evidence:

      Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records.

      Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion,
if any).

THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant, as the son of the deceased former service member (FSM),
requests correction of his late father's records to show award of three
bronze service stars for wear on the European-African-Middle Eastern
Campaign Medal, the Mechanic Badge, and the Bronze Star Medal.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that the FSM served with the
Headquarters Company, 42nd Infantry Division as a mechanic during the
Battle of the Bulge.   He further states that the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55
(Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Discharge) does not
show Ardennes-Alsace for decorations and campaigns.

3.  The applicant continues that the FSM should be awarded the Mechanic
Badge and the Bronze Star Medal.

4.  The applicant provides a WD AGO Form 53-55; a WD AGO Form
100 (Separation Qualification Record); a Certificate of Death, dated 26
April 2005; a Marriage Certificate, dated 22 December 1947; a four page
Authorization for Release of Information (Reference: Mary E. ------), dated
16 January 2005; five internet articles on the Battle of the Bulge; and one
magazine article on the Battle of the Bulge.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The FSM’s military records are not available to the Board for review.
A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members’ records at the
National Personnel Records Center in 1973.  It is believed that the FSM’s
records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  However, this case is being
considered using reconstructed records, which primarily consist of his WD
AGO Form 53-55.

2.  The FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 with the ending period 29 November 1945
shows he was inducted and entered active duty on 2 August 1941.  The FSM
served in the European Theater of Operations from 8 December 1944 through
on or about 16 November 1945.  Records show that while he served in Europe
he was assigned to Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 242nd Infantry.  He
was honorably discharged on 29 November 1945.

3.  Item 30 (Military Occupational Specialty and No.) shows the entry "Auto
Mechanic 014."  Item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) show the entry "Rhineland;
Central Europe."

4.  Item 33 (Decorations and Citations) shows the applicant was awarded the
European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon with two bronze
service stars, the "American Defense Service Ribbon," the Army Good Conduct
Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.  Item 31 (Military Qualification
and Date) shows the Combat Infantryman Badge.

5.  There are no General Orders in the FSM's records that show he was
awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

6.  There are no documents in the FSM's records that show he was awarded
the Mechanic Badge.

7.  A WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record) shows that the FSM
repaired trucks and jeeps for 45 months while serving as an automotive
mechanic in an infantry battalion.  Item 41 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows
he attended automotive mechanic school

8.  The applicant submitted a Bronze Star Medal citation from Headquarters,
42nd Infantry Division, Office of the Commanding General, dated 1 February
1946 and signed by the commanding general.  This document shows the FSM was
awarded the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service in connection with
military operations against enemy forces from 7 January 1945 through 8 May
1945.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign
Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards and campaign
participation credit received by units serving during World War II.  This
document shows that the 242nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division was
awarded occupation credit for Germany for the period 2 -19 May 1945.



10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign
Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards and campaign
participation credit received by units serving during World War II.  This
document shows that the 242nd Infantry Regiment, 42nd Infantry Division was
awarded campaign credit for Ardennes-Alsace for the period 16 December 1944
through 25 January 1945.

11.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.  The Bronze Star Medal based
on the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge was not authorized
until 10 September 1947 when Change 12 to Army Regulation 600-45 (Personnel
Decorations) was published.
12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part for award of the
Mechanic Badge.  To receive the award, the individual must pass aptitude
tests and complete the standard mechanics' course with a "skilled" rating
or have demonstrated possession of sufficient previous experience as an
automotive or engineer equipment mechanic to justify such a rating.
13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, in pertinent part, authorizes a bronze
service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in
Appendix B of this regulation or listed in item 32 (Battles and Campaigns)
of the WD AGO Form
53-55.

14.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that the Army of
Occupation Medal is awarded for service of 30 consecutive days at a normal
post of duty in a qualifying location.  For Germany, service must have been
between 9 May 1945 and 5 May 1955 and the European-African-Middle Eastern
Campaign Medal (formerly designated a Theater Ribbon) must have been
awarded prior to 9 May 1945.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  A Bronze Star Medal citation from Headquarters, 42nd Infantry Division,
Office of the Commanding General, dated 1 February 1946 clearly confirms
that the FSM was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his meritorious service
while serving in the European Theater of Operations.  The Bronze Star Medal
based upon award of the Combat Infantryman Badge was authorized on 10
September 1947.  Therefore, the FSM is eligible for award of the Bronze
Star Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster).

2.  The FSM is eligible for award of the Army of Occupation Medal with
Germany clasp.  This award should be added to his WD AGO Form 53-55.

3.  Records further show that the FSM was a service school trained
automotive mechanic and his WD AGO Form 100 shows that he served 45 months
as an automotive mechanic.  Therefore, the Board accepts this evidence as
sufficient to show the FSM met the qualifications for a "skilled" rating
for the Mechanic Badge and therefore as sufficient evidence to show the FSM
is eligible for award of the Mechanic Badge.  This award should be added to
his WD AGO Form 53-55.

4.  Evidence of record shows that the FSM served in a unit that was awarded
campaign credit for Ardennes-Alsace for the period 16 December 1944 through
25 January 1945.  Therefore his WD AGO Form 53-55 should be amended to add
"Ardennes-Alsace" in item 32.  He is also eligible for three bronze service
stars to be worn on his European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
The FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 should be amended to add these awards.

BOARD VOTE:

__JS____  __ LDS  _  __ KWL _  GRANT FULL RELIEF

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant
a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all
Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by
amending his WD AGO Form 53-55:

      a.  to show award of the Bronze Star Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster)
(based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge), the Army of Occupation
Medal with Germany clasp, the Mechanic Badge, and three bronze service
stars to be worn on his European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; and


      b.  to add "Ardennes-Alsace" in item 32 of the FSM's WD AGO Form
53-55.




                                  ____ John Slone ____
                                            CHAIRPERSON



                                    INDEX

|CASE ID                 |AR20050003706                           |
|SUFFIX                  |                                        |
|RECON                   |                                        |
|DATE BOARDED            |18 October 2005                         |
|TYPE OF DISCHARGE       |                                        |
|DATE OF DISCHARGE       |                                        |
|DISCHARGE AUTHORITY     |                                        |
|DISCHARGE REASON        |                                        |
|BOARD DECISION          |GRANT                                   |
|REVIEW AUTHORITY        |                                        |
|ISSUES         1.       |Mr. Schneider                           |
|2.                      |107.0014.0000                           |
|3.                      |107.0060.0000                           |
|4.                      |107.0126.0000                           |
|5.                      |                                        |
|6.                      |                                        |


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