IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:  26 April 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20110021206 


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), request's correction of his father's record to show the "Asian Medal" (it appears he means the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal), Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM), and the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM).  He also requests issuance of the FSM's awards and medals.

2.  He states he was told the FSM may be eligible for the "Asia Medal."  He knows the FSM was eligible for the AGCM and ARCOM and he was awarded these medals during his military service.  He provides an Award Request Number issued by the Clothing and Heraldry Product Support Integration Directorate, U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.

3.  He provides:

* his Certificate of Birth
* his Certificate of Baptism
* the FSM's Certificate of Death
* the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Discharge - Honorable Discharge)
* the FSM's Honorable Discharge Certificate


CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant provides an Award Request Number issued by the Clothing and Heraldry Product Support Integration Directorate, U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command.  A status inquiry on this Award Request Number shows the Clothing and Heraldry Product Support Integration Directorate shipped a request pertaining to the FSM on 10 January 2012.  Presumably this shipment included the awards and decorations shown in his available record.  Therefore, the issuance of awards and decorations previously documented in the FSM's record will not be discussed further in these Proceedings.

2.  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 provided by the applicant and records contained in the FSM's reconstructed NPRC file.

4.  With 6 months and 12 days of prior service in the Army of the United States, on 1 March 1946, the FSM enlisted in the Regular Army (RA).

5.  The applicant provides a WD AGO Form 53-55 showing the FSM was honorably discharged on 24 March 1947 after completing 1 year and 24 days of RA service.  This form shows he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal with Japan Clasp.  Item 36 (Service Outside Continental United States and Return) shows he served in the Pacific Theater of Operations from 11 June 1946 to 17 February 1947.

6.  The available records show that, after his discharge from the Regular Army, he served as a member of the Enlisted Reserve Corps.  The available records do not show the length of this period of service.

7.  The available records also do not show the FSM was awarded the ARCOM or the AGCM.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the ARCOM may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army after 6 December 1941, distinguishes himself or herself by heroism, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.

9.  Army Regulation 600-68 (Good Conduct Medal), in effect at the time, stated the AGCM was awarded for each 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service completed on or after 27 August 1940 and, after 7 December 1941, completed 1 year of continuous active Federal military service while the United States was at war.  The award would not be made to an enlisted man whose records, during the required period of service, disclosed a conviction by any court-martial, or to one whose character or efficiency was rated below “excellent.”  The fact that an enlisted man was entitled to an AGCM or clasp would be noted under "remarks" of the [Report of Separation and] discharge certificate.

10.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 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.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The available records do not show the FSM was awarded the ARCOM.  In the absence of official documentation showing the FSM was recommended for or awarded this award, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting this portion of the applicant's request.

2.  The FSM did not complete the 3 years of continuous enlisted active Federal military service required for award of the AGCM.  The available records also show he served on active duty after the cessation of hostilities with Japan and its allies.  Therefore, the criteria authorizing the AGCM for 1 year of continuous active Federal military service while the United States was at war do not apply.  As a result, there is no basis for granting this portion of the applicant's request.

3.  The FSM served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations after the period of eligibility for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal had ended.  Therefore, there is no basis for granting this portion of his request.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

____X___  ____X   _  ____X___  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 to know that the sacrifices the FSM made in service to the United States during World War II are deeply appreciated.  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)                                         AR20110021206



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20110021206



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