| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Ms. Wanda L. Waller | Analyst |
| Mr. Fred N. Eichorn | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Lester Echols | Member | |
| Ms. Marla J. Troup | Member |
2. The applicant requests award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
3. The applicant states, in effect, that he is entitled to the Combat Infantryman Badge. In support of his application, he submits a document titled "Chapter VI Post Combat Operations"; a copy of a letter of appreciation; a letter, dated
13 May 2002, from the National Personnel Records Center; a letter, dated
27 September 2001, from the Senator of Queens County in Albany, New York; an undated release form; and a copy of his WD AGO Form 53-33 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation).
4. The applicant’s military records were destroyed or lost during the National Personnel Records Center fire of 1973. Records available to the Board were obtained from alternate sources and show that the applicant was inducted on
30 March 1943. He served as a field lineman in the European Theater of Operations from 19 October 1943 through 26 July 1945 and was honorably discharged on 21 October 1945.
5. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.
6. There are no orders for the Combat Infantryman Badge in the available records.
7. The available records show the applicant served in military occupational specialty (MOS) 641 (field lineman).
8. The applicant's Final Payment Work Sheet does not reflect entitlement to combat infantry pay.
9. The Board notes that the applicant is eligible for the World War II Victory Medal which is not shown on his WD AGO Form 53-55.
10. War Department Circular 269-1943 established the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge to recognize and provide an incentive to infantrymen. The Expert Infantryman Badge was to be awarded for attainment of certain proficiency standards or by satisfactory performance of duty in action against the enemy. The Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy. War Department Circular 186-1944 further provided that the Combat Infantryman Badge was to be awarded only to infantrymen serving with infantry units of brigade, regimental or smaller size. Additionally, World War II holders of the Combat Infantryman Badge received a monthly pay supplement known as combat infantry pay and holders of the Expert Infantryman Badge were entitled to expert infantry pay. Therefore, soldiers had economic as well as intangible reasons to ensure that their records were correct. Thus, pay records are frequently the best available source to verify entitlement to this award. The Awards Branch, Total Army Personnel Command, has advised in similar cases that, during World War II, the Combat Infantryman Badge was normally awarded only to enlisted individuals who served in the following positions:
a. Light machine gunner (604)
b. Heavy machine gunner (605)
c. Platoon sergeant (651)
d. Squad leader (653)
e. Rifleman (745)
f. Automatic rifleman (746)
g. Heavy weapons NCO (812)
h. Gun crewman (864)
11. Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, for award of the World War II Victory Medal. It is awarded for service between 7 December 1941 and 31 December 1946, both dates inclusive.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. The evidence of record does not support the applicant's contention that he is entitled to the Combat Infantryman Badge.
2. There are no orders for the Combat Infantryman Badge. The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows that he served in MOS 641 (field lineman) and his Final Payment Work Sheet does not show entitlement to combat infantry pay. Therefore, the Board determined that there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Combat Infantryman Badge in this case.
3. Based on the applicant's service from 30 March 1943 through 21 October 1945, he is entitled to correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show award of the World War II Victory Medal.
4. In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the World War II Victory Medal.
2. That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
FNE____ LE_____ MJT_____ GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION
_Fred N. Eichorn_______
CHAIRPERSON
| CASE ID | AR2002081355 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20030410 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | GRANT |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 107.0111 |
| 2. | 107.0066 |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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