IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 7 February 2013
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120014686
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, in effect, correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) to show the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). He also requests reconsideration of his previous request for two awards of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM) and the addition of all three awards to his WD AGO Form 53-55.
2. The applicant states, in effect, based on his award of the CIB and on his actions as a machine gunner during the Normandy and Northern France campaigns he should be awarded two BSMs.
3. The applicant provides a War Department Letter, dated 28 January 1946 awarding him the CIB, effective 9 August 1944, while serving with the 134th Infantry.
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 AR20110024299 on 14 June 2012.
2. The record shows as a result of the original Board action, the applicants record was corrected to show he was authorized 2 bronze service stars with his European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal based on his participation in the Normandy and Northern France campaigns of World War II; and he was awarded the Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM) and WWII Victory Medal. A DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) was issued on 15 August 2012 adding these awards to his WD AGO Form 53-55. The Board denied adding the CIB to his WD AGO Form 53-55 and award of the BSM based on receipt of the CIB based on the lack of evidence indicating the applicant qualified for or was awarded the CIB during WWII.
3. The applicant now provides a War Department Letter, dated 28 January 1946 awarding him the CIB, effective 9 August 1944, based on his satisfactory performance of duty in ground combat against the enemy while attached or assigned to the 134th Infantry while serving with the 134th Infantry.
4. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) contains the Armys awards policy. Paragraph 3-14d(2) states the BSM may be awarded to each member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, after 6 December 1941, has been cited in orders or awarded a certificate for exemplary conduct in ground combat against an armed enemy between 7 December 1941 and 2 September 1945, inclusive, or whose meritorious achievement has been otherwise confirmed by documents executed prior to 1 July 1947. For this purpose, an award of the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical Badge is considered as a citation in orders.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicants request for reconsideration of his earlier request to add two BSMs and the CIB to his WD AGO Form 53-55 has been carefully considered and found to have partial merit.
2. The applicant provides a letter confirming he was awarded the CIB, effective
9 August 1944, based on his satisfactory performance of duty in ground combat against the enemy while attached or assigned to the 134th Infantry during
WWII. As a result, it would be appropriate to add the CIB and award him
the BSM based on receipt of the CIB and to add these awards to his
WD AGO Form 53-55.
3. There is no evidence indicating the applicant was ever recommended for or awarded a second BSM during his active duty tenure. Further, as a matter of information, only one award of the BSM is authorized based on receipt of the CIB. Separate awards are not authorized for participation in a specific campaign.
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 partial amendment of the ABCMRs decision in Docket Number AR20110024299, dated 14 June 2012. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by:
a. awarding him the Bronze Star Medal based upon award of the Combat Infantryman Badge; and
b. amending his WD AGO Form 53-55 by adding the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge.
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 a second award of the Bronze Star 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) AR20120014686
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120014686
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