| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Deborah L. Brantley | Senior Analyst |
| Mr. Walter T. Morrison | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Ronald E. Blakely | Member | |
| Mr. Joe R. Schroeder | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: In effect, award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
APPLICANT STATES: In effect, that he needs his records corrected in such a way to confirm that he was involved "in battle…and served in combat positions" while in Vietnam in spite of the fact that he did not hold an infantryman's specialty. He states he needs "this adjustment for filing" a claim for PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). In support of his request he submits a copy of an order awarding him an Army Commendation Medal for "meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force."
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He served on active duty between June 1966 and June 1970 when he was honorably discharged under a program for separating overseas returnees.
During his more than 3 years of active military service he was primarily assigned duties in his primary military specialty (MOS), 63C/B (vehicle mechanic). In December 1969 he was promoted to pay grade E-5 in specialty 63B. His records do indicate, however, that in July 1969 he assumed duties as a wireman (specialty 36K) with an aviation group in Vietnam and performed those duties until his return to the United States in June 1970. There is, however, no indication he was ever awarded 36K as a primary or secondary specialty.
Prior to departing Vietnam, the applicant was awarded an Army Commendation Medal in recognition of his "meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force" during the period July 1969 through June 1970.
In October 2000 the applicant submitted a request to this Board to have his records corrected to reflect award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. That request was administratively closed by a letter from officials at the Review Boards Agency Support Division in St. Louis. In that letter the applicant was informed that he did not meet the qualification requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and was told that he could apply again if he could "provide the Board with any supporting documents or other evidence relevant to [his] application."
There are basically three requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. The soldier must be an infantryman (11 series specialty), assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must have actively participated in such ground combat.
DISCUSSION: Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:
1. The Board presumes that the applicant is requesting that his records be corrected to reflect award of the Combat Infantryman Badge in order to confirm that he was engaged in active ground combat while in Vietnam which could then substantiate his PTSD claim.
2. Unfortunately, while the applicant may have received an Army Commendation Medal in recognition of his "meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force" that award does not serve as a basis for entitlement to the Combat Infantryman Badge. As the applicant has previously been informed, the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to individuals holding an infantry specialty, assigned to an infantry unit, and actively engaged in ground combat. While the applicant may very well have been engaged in combat activities he did not hold an infantry specialty and as such does not meet the basic qualification for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
3. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy that requirement.
4. 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
__WTM__ __REB__ __JRS __ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001056307 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | YYYYMMDD |
| DATE BOARDED | 20010814 |
| 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. |
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