IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  21 October 2010

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20100012249 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests reconsideration of his earlier request for correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Service) to show a third bronze service star with the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Combat Infantryman Badge. 

2.  The applicant states he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge by Special Orders Number 15, issued by Headquarters 275th Infantry on 24 January 1945 during his assignment to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 275th Infantry Regiment.  According to Department of the Army Pamphlet (DA PAM) 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign credit Register), the 275th Infantry Regiment was credited with participation in the Central Europe, Rhineland, and the Ardennes-Alsace campaigns during World War II (WWII).

3.  The applicant provides the following documents:

* WD AGO Form 53-55
* DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214)
* Extract of DA PAM 672-1
* Special Orders 15
* Extract of his Service Record
* Various other burnt records
* Original Record of Proceedings



CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20080000402, on 29 May 2008.

2.  The applicant submitted a copy of Special Orders Number 15, awarding him the Combat Infantryman Badge, and various other burnt/illegible records, which were not previously reviewed by the ABCMR; therefore, they are considered new evidence and as such warrant consideration by the Board.

3.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 27 October 1942 and he entered active duty in Macon, MO, on 10 November 1942.  At the time of his separation, he held military occupational specialty 821 (Supply Sergeant) and he was assigned to the 12th Infantry Regiment.  

4.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he departed continental United States (CONUS) on 6 December 1944 and arrived in the European Theater of Operations (ETO) on 15 December 1944.  He departed the ETO on 23 July 1945 and arrived in CONUS on 31 July 1945.  He completed 2 years, 6 months, and 6 days of continental service and 7 months and 26 days of foreign service.  He was honorably separated on 11 January 1946.

5.  Item 31 (Military Qualifications and Date) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the entry "Combat Infantryman Badge, January 1945."

6.  Item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he participated in two campaigns during WWII:  the Central Europe and Rhineland campaigns.

7.  Item 33 (Decorations and Citations) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. 

8.  On 18 December 2008, he was issued a DD Form 215 that added awards of the Bronze Star Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, and two bronze service stars to be affixed to his already-awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

9.  He submitted several burnt records that show the following:

	a.  An insert to Service Record that shows he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge by Special Orders Number 15, issued by Headquarters, 275th Infantry, on 24 January 1945.

	b.  An insert to Service Record that shows he was awarded the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-1) on 2 July 1943 and the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (.30 caliber) on 21 January 1943.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), provides, in pertinent part, that the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal is awarded for service within the European African-Middle Eastern Theater between 7 December 1941 and 8 November 1945.  The regulation also authorizes a bronze service star, based on qualifying service, for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation or listed in item 32 of the WD AGO Form 53-55.  This regulation states that authorized bronze service stars will be worn on the appropriate campaign or service medal including the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.

11.  DA PAM 670-1 shows the 275th Infantry was credited with 3 campaigns during its service in WWII:  25 (Ardennes-Alsace from 16 December 1944 to 25 January 1945); 26 (Central Europe, 22 March 1945 to 11 May 1945); and 34 (Rhineland, 15 September 1944 to 21 March 1945). 

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends he is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and a third bronze service star for his participation in the Ardennes-Alsace campaign.

2.  The applicant's specific unit of assignment during WWI is unclear.  However, an insert to his Service Record shows he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge by Special Orders Number 15, issued by Headquarters, 275th Infantry, on 24 January 1945, suggesting he was at least under the operational control of the 275th Infantry in January 1945, which is sufficient to award him campaign credit for the Ardennes-Alsace campaign.  Therefore, he is entitled to a third bronze service star to be affixed to his already-awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. 

3.  Another insert to his Service Record shows he was awarded the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-1) on 2 July 1943 and the Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (.30 caliber) on 21 January 1943; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show both badges. 
4.  With respect to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge, this badge is already listed on his WD AGO Form 53-55.  No further correction is required. 

BOARD VOTE:

____X___  ____X___  ____X___  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 amendment of the ABCMR’s decision in Docket Number AR20080000402, dated 29 May 2008.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding to his WD AGO Form 53-55 the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-1), Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (.30 caliber), and a third bronze service star to be affixed to his already-awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.



      _______ _   _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.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100012249



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20100012249



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