| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Nancy L. Amos | Analyst |
| Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr. | Chairperson | ||
| Mr. Roger W. Able | Member | ||
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: That he be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).
APPLICANT STATES: That he was in a combat infantry position for well over 30 days. He avoided all reminders of his Vietnam experience for years. The omission of the CIB was not noticed until he applied for benefits. Supporting evidence is as listed on the DD Form 149.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He enlisted in the Regular Army on 19 April 1971. He completed basic combat training at Fort Ord, CA and advanced individual training at Fort Knox, KY and was awarded military occupational specialty 11D (Armor Reconnaissance Specialist).
The applicant arrived in Vietnam and was assigned to the 5th Cavalry (the specific unit cannot be determined from the entry on his Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20) as an armor reconnaissance specialist. He was transferred to Company C, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry on 24 October 1971 and performed duties as an armor reconnaissance specialist. He was transferred to Company E, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry on 2 November 1971 and performed duties as an armor reconnaissance specialist. He was transferred to Company A, 2d Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 3d Brigade (Separate) 1st Cavalry Division on 30 November 1971. His DA Form 20 does not indicate what duties he performed in that unit. He was medically evacuated from Vietnam on 15 January 1972 apparently due to a heroin-related problem. He separated on 8 August 1972.
Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes Army policy and criteria concerning individual military awards. In pertinent part, it states that the CIB was established during World War II to provide special recognition of the unique role of the Army infantryman, the only soldier whose daily mission is to close with and destroy the enemy and to seize and hold terrain. The badge was intended as an inducement for individuals to join the infantry while serving as a morale booster for infantrymen. In developing the CIB, the War Department did not dismiss or ignore the contributions of other branches. Their vital contributions to the overall war effort were noted, but it was decided that other awards and decorations were sufficient to recognize their contributions. From the beginning, Army leadership have taken care to retain the badge for the unique purpose for which it was established. There are basically three requirements for award of the CIB. The soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must actively participate 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 evidence of record shows the applicant did not meet all the eligibility criteria for award of the CIB. He may have been assigned to an infantry unit but he was not an infantryman (he was armor) and it appears he performed primary duties as an armor reconnaissance specialist.
2. 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
__RVO__ __RWA__ __JTM__ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2002070269 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 2002/06/20 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | DENY |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0111 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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