What was the point system for discharge in World War 2?

Answer 1

My fathe was in the first US Army division 16th infantry. He enlisted in 1940 & was honorably discharge May 14th 1945. My father was sent home on furlough in 1945 as he had accumulated enough points.He sailed from La Havre, France in February 1945.

I believe the army points system was as follows: 1 point for each month in the service.

1 point for each month overseas.

5 points if you received the bronze.

5 points for any additional medal

5 points for the purple heart.

12 points for each child under 18.

Once you had 85 points yoou were entitled for furlough stateside.

Answer 2

The point system was introduced by the US Army in an effort to be fair with the soldiers, and discharge from the service first those who had endured the most hardship, or served with distinction, or had family obligations, all of which earned a man points. A soldier needed 85 points to be discharged. The actual name of the system was the Advanced Service Ratings Score.

Points were awarded as follows:

1. For each month in the service = 1 pt
2. Month in service overseas = 1 pt
3. Combat award (including medal and battle stars) = 5 pts
4. Dependent child under 18 = 12 pts

Time of service was calculated from September 16, 1940, which was the date the first men drafted reported for service, more than a year before Pearl Harbor brought the US into the war. These four criteria were the only ones from which points were calculated. No points were issued for age, marriage or dependents over the age of 18. Battles and awards were also only accepted from a predetermined list. Soldiers got a medal for service in a theater of operations, so there was one for service in the Pacific, one for the China-Burma-India Theater, and one for Europe-Africa-the Middle East (called the EAME). For every campaign in which he participated a soldier got a little tiny bronze "battle star" (not to be confused with the Bronze Star Medal). These "battle stars" were worn on the ribbon of the EAME, or the Pacific Medal. The campaigns were defined by General Order of the War Department Number 33, of 1945, which was usually referenced on discharge papers as GO 33 WD 45. Each battle star was worth 5 points, and so were awards for valor. So mere service in a theater would get a soldier the appropriate medal for that overseas service, but as it was not a combat award that medal had no points. If he participated in campaigns, actual fighting at the front, he got battle stars, which were worth five points. Similarly the Good Conduct Medal had no points. Only medals earned in combat had points. The Purple Heart Medal was also worth five points, that medal being awarded for being wounded in action by the enemy. So, a wound was basically worth 5 points.