BOARD DATE:	  27 June 2013

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120022444 


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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  The applicant states that while he was a member of Company C, 82nd Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, he volunteered to join the Phu Loi Patrol for a few months before being ordered back to his parent company.

3.  The applicant provides a picture of the Headquarters, Phu Loi Patrol sign.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice.  This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.  While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file.  In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.

2.  The applicant served on active duty in the Regular Army from 20 November 1967 through 21 August 1970 in military occupational specialty (MOS) 44E (Machinist).
3.  He served in Vietnam from 7 July 1968 through 26 November 1969 with assignment to Company C, 82nd Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. 

4.  The record contains no evidence that the applicant was assigned to Phu Loi Patrol, served as an infantryman, or awarded an infantry MOS.

5.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS.  They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  Additionally, Appendix V of U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV) Regulation 672-1 states that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11D, 11F, 11G, or 11H.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  All Soldiers are provided basic combat skills training after they enter the Army. This is provided to ensure that all Soldiers have the survival skills to perform basic infantry missions when the need arises.  The exigencies of combat may require non-infantry Soldiers to temporarily perform the basic infantry duties that all Soldiers are taught, but it is not a basis for the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  The applicant's photo of a headquarters' sign does not show he was assigned to that unit or that he was awarded an infantry MOS.

3.  Regrettably, there is insufficient evidence on which to base the relief requested.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__x___  __x______  ____x____  DENY APPLICATION



BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

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.



      _______ _ 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)                                         AR20120022444





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120022444



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