IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 29 May 2012
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110020884
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 correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show he is authorized the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) and the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC).
2. The applicant states:
* he was in Company D, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment
* when he was discharged he received a BSM with information sheet
* he also received a PUC with no information sheet
* his awards are not shown on his DD Form 214
3. The applicant provides:
* two copies of a BSM Certificate, dated 18 May 1956
* WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge Certificate)
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 applicant's official military personnel records are not on file. Information herein was obtained from evidence submitted by the applicant.
3. He was inducted into the Army on 6 March 1943. He completed training as a combat infantryman.
4. The applicant was honorably discharged on 16 August 1947. His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the following awards:
* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with three bronze service stars
* Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one bronze service star
* Purple Heart
* Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB)
* World War II Victory Medal
* Lapel Button
* Good Conduct Medal
5. His WD AGO Form 53-55 also shows he was assigned to Company B, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment.
6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the BSM is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy. The BSM 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 CIB or the Combat Medical Badge is considered to be a citation in orders. Therefore, the BSM is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized either badge for service during World War II.
7. Department of the Army (DA) Pamphlet 672-1 (Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows the unit to which the applicant was assigned was awarded the PUC (known as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966), on 6 June 1944, in War Department General Orders Number 4-45.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant's contentions have been noted. His supporting evidence has been considered.
2. The available evidence shows he is authorized award of the BSM based on his CIB.
3. General orders show the applicant's unit was awarded the PUC on 6 June 1944.
4. In view of the above, the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 should be amended to add these two awards.
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 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 to add the Bronze Star Medal and the Presidential Unit Citation.
_______ _ _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) AR20110020884
3
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110020884
2
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130001542
Therefore, award of the CMB entitles him to award of the BSM and to correction of his records to show this award. The evidence shows that the applicant served as a combat medic; therefore, he is not eligible for the award of the CIB. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. awarding him the CMB, effective 3 July 1944; b. awarding him the BSM based on award of the CMB; c. adding the CMB and the Parachutist...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140010527
The applicant'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: * awarding him the BSM for meritorious service during WWII based on award of the CIB * adding the awards of the BSM and PUC to his WD AGO Form 53-55 2. _______ _ __X_____ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090017562
The applicant requests that the records of her late husband, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to show award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM), Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, bronze arrowhead device, Parachutist Badge with two battle jump stars (correctly known as bronze service stars), and Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). The applicant states the FSM participated in the Normandy, Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe campaigns and is entitled to the BSM, Purple Heart,...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100013801
His WD AGO Form 53-55 indicates he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 26 January 1943 and he entered active service on 2 February 1943. Therefore, the BSM is to be awarded to individuals who were authorized either badge for service during World War II. 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 his WD AGO Form 53-55 the: * Bronze Star Medal * Prisoner of War Medal * Presidential...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090000536
Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). The applicant requests, in effect, that his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation - Honorable Discharge), dated 15 January 1946, be corrected to reflect his military occupational specialty (MOS) as machine gunner vice light truck driver and to include all awards he is entitled to based on his military service. The applicant's military record is not available to the Board for review.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2010 | 20100021295
The applicant, the grandson 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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and, if eligible, "battle stars" (formally known as bronze service stars) for the CIB. The record is void of documentation showing the FSM was awarded the CIB or that he served in an infantry military occupational specialty while assigned to an infantry...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070007619
The applicant requests, in effect, that his records be corrected to show award of the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) (formerly known as the Distinguished Unit Citation until 3 November 1966), the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) based on award of the CIB. Evidence of Records show that the applicant is entitled to the award of Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp. Therefore, the applicant is entitled to correction to his records to show this award.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110003228
Item 31 (Military Qualification and Date) of the FSMs WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was awarded the CIB. Therefore, the FSM is entitled to the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show this unit award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. deleting from the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 the Distinguished Unit Badge and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 bronze...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130014150
The applicant, the widow of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of the FSMs WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Discharge) to show he was awarded the Prisoner of War (POW) Medal, Bronze Star Medal (BSM), and Purple Heart. The National Archives WWII Prisoners of War Data File, 7 December 1941 to 19 November 1946, lists the FSM as having been captured in the European Theater on 11 July 1944. As a result, the Board recommends that all...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060002310C070205
The applicant’s military records are not available to the Board for review. 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. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by awarding the applicant the BSM for meritorious service during WWII, the WWII Victory Medal, the PUC and one bronze...