IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  17 September 2015

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20150000487 


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 daughter 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 Philippine Liberation Medal.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, she has proof that her father was a member of the 803rd Field Artillery during the entire duration of his service.  His unit was stationed in the Philippines during the time necessary for award of the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. 

3.  The applicant provides:

*  the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55
* historical documentation pertaining to the history of the 803rd Field Artillery

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 AR20130019296 on 19 June 2014.

2.  The FSM's 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 in 1973.  It is believed that his records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  This case is being considered using the WD AGO Form 53-55 provided by the applicant.

3.  The FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 also contains the following pertinent information:

     a.  Item 6 (Organization) shows his organization as 803rd Field Battery

	b.  Item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) contains the entry "NONE."

	c.  Item 33 (Decorations and Citations) shows he was awarded or authorized the:

* American Campaign Medal
* Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
* Good Conduct Medal
* World War II Victory Medal

	d.  Item 36 (Service Outside Continental U.S. and Return) shows he departed on 5 June 1945 and arrived in the Western Pacific Theater of Operations (WPTO) on 12 July 1945 and departed on 20 April 1946.

4.  The FSM's available record is void of evidence showing specific geographic location(s) where the FSM served during his period of foreign service.

5.  The applicant provides a copy of the historical reference material pertaining to the history of the 803rd Field Artillery Battalion which shows the 803rd Field Artillery Battalion departed on 5 June 1945 from San Francisco, CA and arrived in Leyte Gulf, Philippine on 12 July 1945 and remained there until 1 October 1945.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Philippine Liberation Ribbon is awarded for service in the liberation of the Philippines from 17 October 1944 to 3 September 1945, under any of the following conditions:  (1) participated in the initial landing operations on Leyte or adjoining islands from 17 October 1944 to 20 October 1944.  An individual will be considered as having participated in such operations if he landed on Leyte or adjoining islands, was on a ship in Philippine waters, or was a crewmember of an airplane which flew over Philippine territory during the period; (2) participated in any engagement against the enemy during the campaign on Leyte and adjoining islands.  An individual will be considered as having participated in combat if he meets any of the criteria (2) through (4) for award of the Philippine Defense Ribbon; (3) participated in any engagement against the enemy on islands other than those included in (2) for awards of the Philippine Defense Ribbon.  An individual will be considered as having participated in combat if he or she meets any of the criteria (2) through (4) of the Philippine Defense Ribbon; or (4) served in the Philippine Islands or on ships in Philippine waters for not less than 30 days during the period.  An individual who meets more than one of the conditions set forth above is authorized to wear a bronze service star on the ribbon for each additional condition under which he or she qualified other than that under which he or she is eligible for the initial award of the ribbon.

7.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists campaign participation credit for units serving during World War II.  This publication does not show that the 803rd Field Artillery was awarded credit for participation in any named campaigns during the FSM’s period of assignment.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's contentions that the FSM's record should be corrected to show award of the Philippine Liberation Medal was carefully considered.

2.  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.  The FSM’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was assigned to the 803rd Field Artillery and that he departed on 5 June 1945 and arrived in the WPTO on 12 July 1945. The 803rd Field Artillery historical record shows its unit members arrived on Leyte Gulf, Philippines on 12 July 1945 and remained there until 1 October 1945.  Based on the date of the FSM’s arrival to the WPTO and the historical documents pertaining to the 803rd Field Artillery, it is presumed the FSM served with the unit until their departure on 1 October 1945.  As such, it appears he served in the qualifying area for award of the Philippine Liberation Ribbon for a period not less than 30 days and was eligible for this ribbon. 

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 amendment of the ABCMR’s decision in Docket Number AR20130019296, dated 19 June 2104.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding to the FSM’s WD AGO Form 53-55 the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.



      _______ _   _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)                                         AR20150000487





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20150000487



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