RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 1 May 2008
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20070018826
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.
Director
Analyst
The following members, a quorum, were present:
Chairperson
Member
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 widow of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests that her husbands records be corrected to show an unspecified citation given to the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion.
2. The applicant states, in effect, that the FSMs unit was subjected to the same risks and dangers as the units that received the citations but the FSMs unit did not receive any recognition. The applicant states that the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion is entitled to be included in the citation given to companion units of the 11th Airborne.
3. The applicant provides a copy of the FSMs WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation), the FSMs Honorable Discharge Certificate, and the FSMs death certificate. The applicant indicates she submitted copies of news items, covers of several books written, and a notice of video documentaries concerning the rescue operation in support of her application; however, these documents are not available.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicants failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicants failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.
2. The FSMs 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 FSMs records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.
3. The FSM was inducted into the Army of the United States (AUS) on 19 January 1943. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations from 8 July 1945 through 30 January 1946.
4. The FSM was honorably discharged on 23 February 1946. His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the American Theater Ribbon, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal as authorized awards.
5. Item 6 (Organization) on the FSMs WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was assigned to Company B, 673rd (sic) Amphibian Tractor Battalion at the time of his discharge.
6. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1, Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register, dated 6 July 1961, shows, among other information, unit awards and citations authorized for units which served during World War II. This document does not show that the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion was cited for any unit awards or citations.
7. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 does not list the 673rd Amphibian Tractor Battalion as a unit which served during World War II.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 does not show the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion was cited for any unit awards or citations during World War II.
2. There is insufficient evidence which indicates the FSMs unit, 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, was cited for any unit awards or citations during World War II. Regrettably, there is no basis for granting the applicants request.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
XX______ XX______ XX_____ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
1. The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
2. The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the FSM in service to our Nation. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of the FSMs service in arms.
XX_______
CHAIRPERSON
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20070018826
4
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
1901 SOUTH BELL STREET 2ND FLOOR
ARLINGTON, VA 22202-4508
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080005403
The applicant requests award of the Presidential Unit Citation (formerly known as the Distinguished Unit Citation). The applicant states the unit to which he was assigned, the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, was subjected to the same risks and dangers as other units, and is entitled to be included in the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to campaign units of the 11th Airborne. However, the evidence of record shows that the 672nd Amphibian Tractor Battalion, the unit to which the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130006722
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). c. a bronze service star is authorized, based on qualifying service, for each designated campaign listed in Appendix B of the regulation and states that authorized service stars will be worn on the appropriate campaign or service medal. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing that in addition to the awards on the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140000804
The applicant, the son a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge) to show the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars. The FSM's military records are not available for review. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. adding to item 32 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 the Luzon and...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130019296
The applicant, the daughter of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge) to show that he participated in the Philippine Campaign during World War II and award of the Philippine Liberation Medal and any other awards and decorations to which he is entitled. The FSM's available record is void of evidence and the applicant has not provided evidence showing specific geographic...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110011899
The applicant, the son of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of the FSM's record to show he served in the Pacific theater of operations (PTO) during his World War II service and to show the following awards based on his service in the PTO: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, and Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation. The applicant states, in effect, two Army records show the FSM served in the PTO, but his WD AGO Form 53-55...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110011389
The form contains the following pertinent information: * Item 6 (Organization) shows Company C, 726th Military Police Battalion * Item 7 (Date of Separation) shows 18 January 1946 * Item 30 (Military Occupational Specialty) shows Military Policeman 677 * Item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) shows Normandy and Rhineland * Item 33 (Decorations and Citations) shows the: * European African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 bronze service stars * Army Good Conduct Medal * World War II Victory...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070018469
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 1 May 2008 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20070018469 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. Although the applicant requested award of the EAME Campaign Medal, his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows this medal as an authorized award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140016093
The applicant requests the WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) of his deceased father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to show his unit awards during World War II. The FSM's records are not available to the Board for review. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding to item 33 of the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130000878
The changes to the names for the awards listed on the WD AGO Form 53-55 are as follows: * American Defense Service Ribbon - is now called a Medal * the Good Conduct Ribbon - is now called a Medal * Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon - now known as the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal * Purple Heart remains unchanged * the Distinguished Unit Badge - is now known as the Presidential Unit Citation * Combat Infantryman qualification - is now shown as an award of the Combat Infantryman Badge * the Lapel...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090021008
The exigencies of combat may require non-infantry Soldiers to temporarily perform the basic infantry duties that all Soldiers are taught, but it is not a basis for the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. As the applicant stated, on 6 April 1943 he left for Oahu, HI, and on 1 August 1944 he was assigned to Company L, 383d Infantry Battalion, 96th Infantry Division. There is evidence to show the 96th Infantry Division did not enter combat until 20 October 1944, by which time the applicant...