| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mr. Edmund P. Mercanti | Analyst |
| Mr. John H. Kern | Chairperson | |
| Ms. Margaret V. Thompson | Member | |
| Mr. Melvin H. Meyer | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: That he be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Purple Heart.
APPLICANT STATES: He was often in combat and spent 11 months in the field. He relates how he was wounded during one battle but refused medical evacuation since it would have endangered the lives of others. He cites a book that was written about his unit as evidence of his combat service and charges that while officers were given medals, the enlisted personnel were forgotten.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He enlisted in the Regular Army on 15 March 1966, was awarded the military occupational specialty (MOS) of Armor Crewman (11E) and served in Vietnam in a cavalry unit from 14 March 1967 to 9 March 1968. While serving in Vietnam, his MOS was changed to Armor Intelligence Specialist (11D). He was given accelerated promotions to sergeant, pay grade E-5.
He was honorably released from active duty on 14 March 1969 at the expiration of his term of service. His separation documents show that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 bronze service stars; the National Defense Service Medal; the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; the Expert Marksmanship Badge (Pistol); and the Good Conduct Medal.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, that 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. The Awards Branch, Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H. This regulation also provides that the Purple Heart is awarded for wounds sustained as a result of hostile action. Substantiating evidence must be provided to verify that the wound was the result of hostile action, the wound must have required treatment by a medical officer, and the medical treatment must have been made a matter of official record.
DISCUSSION: Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record and applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:
1. Since neither of the applicant’s MOS’s are on the list of those approved for the CIB, he is not entitled to that decoration. While it is understandable that the applicant would believe his active combat service would warrant a CIB, it does not. Many people in many different MOS’s are actively engaged in combat but are not entitled to a CIB. The CIB is reserved for infantrymen.
2. As for the Purple Heart, since there is no record of the applicant being wounded and he has submitted no evidence of such a wound he is not entitled to that decoration either.
3. In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.
DETERMINATION: The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
___jhk___ ___mvt __ ___mhm_ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001051710 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20010417 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | (HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR) |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | YYYYMMDD |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | AR . . . . . |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002074322C070403
I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual. The applicant requests correction of his military records to show that he was awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman Badge. This document shows that at the time of the applicant’s assignment his unit, the 548 th Light Maintenance Company, was cited for award of the Meritorious Unit Commendation...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060006133C070205
The applicant requests that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show two awards of the Purple Heart, in effect, the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), the Bronze Star Medal (BSM), Army Good Conduct Medal (AGCM), Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. The applicant's records show that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. As a...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002068432C070402
There are no orders in the applicant’s service personnel records, which show that he was awarded the Purple Heart or the CIB. Army Regulation 600-200, Enlisted Personnel Management System, the regulation then in effect, provides that item 40 (Wounds) of the Enlisted Qualification Record, will contain a brief description of wounds or injuries requiring medical treatment, received through hostile or enemy action, including those requiring hospitalization. The evidence of record shows that...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060003573C070205
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to show award of the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), and the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar. He states that he was awarded the CIB and the Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar, but they are not listed on his DD Form 214. His DD Form 214 shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001058023C070420
The record does not show that he was awarded any other ARCOM (with or without the “V” Device). The applicant’s DD Form 214 does not show that he was awarded the Purple Heart or the CIB. Furthermore, his Enlisted Qualification Record and the general orders awarding him the ARCOM with “V” Device show that he was an infantryman engaged in hostile action (at the time he was wounded) and as such met the prerequisites for award of the CIB.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001064727C070421
There are no orders in the applicant’s service personnel records which show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. This medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. Based on the applicant’s service in Vietnam and the fact he was evacuated for wounds sustained as a result of hostile action, he is entitled to award of the Vietnam Campaign Medal and correction of his records to...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130014850
Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) does not show award of the Purple Heart or the CIB. There are no orders in the applicants service personnel records that show he was awarded the Purple Heart. 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.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050003401C070206
In reference to the applicant's request to be awarded the CIB, there is no evidence in the available records to show that the applicant should be awarded the CIB. Evidence also shows that the applicant participated in three campaigns during his service in Vietnam. Evidence shows that the applicant’s records contain administrative error which does not require action by the Board.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070006935
The applicant states, in effect, he was awarded the CIB while he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division, but he did not have any orders for the award. The applicant's records show that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. Therefore, the Board requests that the CMSD-St. Louis administratively correct the records of the individual concerned to show Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation,...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2001 | 2001063657C070421
The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to reflect his award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Purple Heart. The applicant states that his DD Form 214 does not show all of his awards. In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.