IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 11 February 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130009629
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 that the records of her deceased father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to show his award of the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).
2. The applicant states, in effect, that a document found in her fathers possessions shows that he was awarded the BSM; however, it is not reflected on his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge).
3. The applicant provides copies of the FSMs WD AGO Form 53-55, proof of death documents, and a preprinted form from Headquarters, 94th AAA Gun Battalion, dated 18 August 1944.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. The FSM's military records are not available for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed the FSM's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, the documents provided by the applicant are sufficient to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.
2. The FSM was inducted on 29 March 1941. He completed his training as an anti-aircraft artillery gun crewman and he participated in the Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe, and Aleutian Islands Campaigns.
3. On 2 October 1945, he was honorably discharged at Fort Meade, Maryland. His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Theater Service Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Service Ribbon and the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon.
4. The document provided by the applicant shows that the applicant was authorized to wear the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with one bronze service star, American Defense Ribbon, and the American Theater Ribbon.
5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the BSM is awarded in time of war for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight, in connection with military operations against an armed enemy, or while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.
6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 states a bronze service star, based on qualifying service for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation, will be worn on the appropriate service medal.
7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 states the World War II Victory Medal is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicants contention and supporting documents have been carefully considered; however, she has submitted no evidence to show that the FSM was awarded the BSM.
2. The document submitted by the applicant shows the FSM was authorized to wear a bronze service star on his Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Ribbon to denote his campaign participation.
3. The award of the BSM is not the same as a bronze service star that is worn to denote campaign participation. Therefore, in the absence of evidence to the contrary there appears to be no basis to add the award of the BSM to the FSMs records.
4. However, it would be appropriate at this time to add bronze service stars (one for his Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Ribbon and three for his European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon) to his WD AGO Form 53-55.
5. In addition, the FSM was also authorized the World War II Victory Medal, and this award should be added to his WD AGO Form 53-55.
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 amending his WD AGO Form 53-55 be showing he is authorized one bronze service star for his Asiatic-Pacific Theater Service Ribbon and three bronze service stars for his European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon and by adding the World War II Victory Medal.
2. The Board further determined that the evidence presented was 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 adding the Bronze Star Medal to his WD AGO Form 53-55.
_______ _ 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) AR20130009629
3
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130009629
2
ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
1
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003084648C070212
Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the Bronze Star Medal is awarded for heroism and for meritorious achievement or service in military operations against an armed enemy. Therefore, the FSM is entitled to correction of his records to show three additional bronze service stars, to be affixed to his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. There is no evidence that the FSM was awarded, or recommended for, a separate award of the Bronze Star Medal.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080017138
The applicant requests that the military records of her deceased husband, the Former Service Member (FSM), be corrected to add the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and any other awards or decorations he may have been entitled to receive. All five campaigns listed on the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 are in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater. As a result, the Board recommends that the WD AGO 53-55 of the FSM be corrected by adding the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140017686
The applicant, the son 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 Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp. Therefore, the FSM is entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal based upon his receipt of the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to reflect this award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110021507
The evidence of record confirms the applicant served in the Philippines for 49 months and participated in the Philippine Islands (Defense) campaign of WWII. The evidence further shows that based on his service and campaign participation in the PTO in the Philippine Islands, the FSM is also eligible for the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Philippine Independence Ribbon, and 1 bronze service star to be affixed to the already-awarded Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. As a result, the Board...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130009439
The applicant requests that the records of his deceased father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to show the awards of the World War II (WWII) Victory Medal, Arrowhead Device, and the National Defense Service Medal (NDSM). The FSM'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 (2nd award) based upon award of the Combat Infantryman Badge...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090004472
The applicants military records are not available to the Board for review. Based on the applicants service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations from 6 September 1943 to 17 March 1944, and since his unit/organization during this assignment is not available, he is entitled to at least one award of the bronze service star to be affixed to his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. ___________x___________ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002067734C070402
The applicant requests in effect, that his Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge, WD AGO 53-55, be corrected to show the award of the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and three Battle Stars. The applicant’s military records show that he entered the Army of the United States on 25 January 1943. There is sufficient evidence of record to show that the applicant was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2004 | 2004102017C070208
Patrick H. McGann | |Member | The Board considered the following evidence: Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records. The applicant requests, in effect, that the WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) pertaining to her deceased father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to add the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM). The evidence of record shows the FSM was awarded the CIB after he separated.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070005315
The applicant, the daughter of the deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of her father's service records to show award of the Purple Heart for injuries received during WWII. The FSMs military records are not available to the Board for review. The FSM's daughter provided an undated letter titled Head Injury of the FSM during WWII.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110011899
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. The applicant states, in effect, two Army records show the FSM served in the PTO, but his WD AGO Form 53-55...