BOARD DATE:	  12 January 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110011899 


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, 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.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, two Army records show the FSM served in the PTO, but his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge) shows he was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.  Historical records show the FSM's unit used a building in the Philippines as a jail.

3.  The applicant provides:

* a death certificate
* a birth certificate
* the FSM's obituary
* a permanent order awarding the FSM the Army Good Conduct Medal
* a WD AGO Form 100 (Separation Qualification Record)
* notes on the history of a building used as a jail in the Philippines

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The FSM's complete military record is not available to the Board for review.  A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in 1973.  It is believed most of his records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  This case is being considered using the documents the applicant provides and documents in the FSM's reconstructed NPRC file.

2.  The FSM was inducted into the Army of the United States on 6 December 1944.  

3.  A WD AGO Form 100 states the FSM "performed the duties of a military policeman with the 1129th Military Police Battalion for about 18 months in the Pacific."

4.  The FSM was discharged on 3 November 1946.  The WD AGO Form 53-55 issued at that time shows in:

* item 6 (Organization) - 1129th Military Police
* item 33 (Decorations and Citations) - 

* European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
* Army of Occupation Medal
* Good Conduct Medal
* World War II Victory Medal

* item 36 (Service Outside Continental U.S. and Return) he arrived in the Western PTO on 23 September 1945 and departed to return to the U.S. on 20 September 1946

5.  The applicant provides Permanent Order 049-06, issued by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, KY, dated 18 February 2011, announcing award of the Army Good Conduct Medal to the FSM for the period 6 December 1944 to 5 December 1945.  The order shows he was assigned to the 1129th Military Police Company, Aviation, PTO. 

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is awarded for service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations between 7 December 1941 and 2 March 1946.  Qualifying service for this award includes permanent assignment in the theater, service in a passenger or a temporary duty status for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or active combat against the enemy and awarded a combat decoration or furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps or higher unit showing actual participation in combat.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states 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.  This medal is awarded to any service member who was permanently assigned in the theater, who was in a passenger status or on temporary duty for 30 consecutive days or 60 nonconsecutive days, or who was in active combat against the enemy and was awarded a combat decoration, or who was furnished a certificate by the commanding general of a corps or higher unit or independent force showing that he actually participated in combat.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the Philippine Liberation Ribbon is awarded for service in the liberation of the Philippines from 17 October 1944 to 3 September 1945 under certain conditions.  

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation was awarded to certain units of the Armed Forces of the United States in recognition of participation in the war against the Japanese Empire during the periods 7 December 1941 to 10 May 1942, inclusive, and 17 October 1944 to 4 July 1945, inclusive.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the 1129th Military Police Company, Aviation, was awarded the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation for the periods cited above.  

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The available records clearly show the entirety of the FSM's overseas service was in the PTO.  There is no evidence showing he served in the European African-Middle Eastern Theater or that his service met the criteria for the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.  It would be appropriate to delete this award from his WD AGO Form 53-55.

2.  The FSM's service in the PTO meets the criteria for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.  It would be appropriate to correct his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show this award.

3.  The FSM arrived in the PTO after the surrender of Japan and the cessation of all campaigns.  He served with a unit that was awarded the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation; however, he served after the periods for which the unit was cited.  His service was also after the period of eligibility for the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.  Therefore, there is no basis for correcting his record to show these awards or any campaigns.  


BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

____x_  ___x_____  ____x____  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by deleting the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal from item 33 of his WD AGO Form 53-55 and adding the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

2.  The Board further determined that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief.  As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation and Philippine Liberation Ribbon.  

3.  The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices the FSM made in service to our Nation.  The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of the FSM's service in arms.



      _______ _   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)                                         AR20110011899





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110011899



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