RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:	


	BOARD DATE:	  26 February 2008
	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20070015418 


	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.


Ms. Catherine C. Mitrano

Director

Mr. Michael L. Engle

Analyst

The following members, a quorum, were present:


Ms. Linda D. Simmons

Chairperson

Ms. LaVerne M. Douglas

Member

Mr. John G. Heck

Member

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records.

	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests correction of his Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge (DD Form 214) to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that he served in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase II and wants his DD Form 214 amended to show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. 

3.  The applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, Certificate of Appreciation with letter from his Commanding General, and pages three and four of his Enlisted Qualification Record (DA Form 20).

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.  On 30 November 1965, the applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States for 2 years.  He completed his initial training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 52B3O (Power Plant Operator/Mechanic). 

3.  On 3 March 1966, the applicant was assigned for duty as a light vehicle driver with the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

4.  On 15 September 1966, the applicant deployed with his unit to the Republic of Vietnam.  On 6 October 1966, he was assigned duty as a wheel vehicle mechanic.

5.  On 16 March 1967, the applicant’s primary MOS was reclassified to 63B3O (Wheel Vehicle Mechanic). 
6.  On 3 September 1967, the applicant returned to the United States.  

7.  On 5 September 1967, the applicant was released from active duty.  He had attained the rank of specialist five, pay grade E-5 and had completed 1 year, 
9 months and 6 days of creditable active duty.

8.  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant's DD Form 214 lists his awards as the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar.  It does not show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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 military occupational specialty (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 of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (formerly known as the 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.

10.  U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation Number 672-1 (Awards and Decorations) specifically governed award of the Combat Infantryman Badge to Army forces operating in South Vietnam.  This regulation specifically stated that criteria for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge identified the man who trained, lived, and fought as an infantryman and the Combat Infantryman Badge is the unique award established to recognize the infantryman and only the infantryman for his service.  Further, “the Combat Infantryman Badge is not an award for being shot at or for undergoing the hazards of day to day combat.”  This regulation also stated the Combat Infantryman Badge was authorized for award to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS and required that they must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size.
 
11.  Review of the applicant's records indicates entitlement to additional awards and decorations that are not shown on his DD Form 214.




12.  Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of the applicant's Enlisted Qualification Record (DA Form 20) shows that his conduct and efficiency were excellent.  The applicant’s records do not contain any evidence of disciplinary action.  There is no evidence to show that the commander took any action to deny him the Army Good Conduct Medal. 

13.  Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provided that the Army Good Conduct Medal was awarded to individuals who had completed a qualified period of active duty enlisted service.  This period is 3 years except in those cases when the period for the first award ends with the termination of a period of Federal military service.  The enlisted person must have had all "excellent" conduct and efficiency ratings and no convictions by a court-martial.  Ratings of "Unknown" for 
portions of the period under consideration are not disqualifying.  Service and efficiency ratings based upon academic proficiency of at least "Good" rendered subsequent to 22 November 1955 are not disqualifying.  

14.  Appendix B of Army Regulation 600-8-22 shows that based on the applicant's dates of service in the Republic of Vietnam, he participated in the following two campaign periods: the Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase II; and the Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase III.  This same regulation states that a bronze service star will be awarded for wear on the Vietnam Service Medal for participation in each campaign.  

15.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the unit awards received by units serving in the Republic of Vietnam.  This publication shows that the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Infantry Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, during the time of the applicant's assignment, was cited in Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 69, dated 1969, for award of the Presidential Unit Citation; in DAGO Number 3, dated 1970, for award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation; and in DAGO Number 53, dated 1970, for award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The evidence clearly shows that the applicant was assigned to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size while assigned in the Republic of Vietnam. However, there is no available evidence showing that he was awarded an infantryman MOS or that he ever engaged in active ground combat.  Therefore, his request for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge should be denied. 

2.  The applicant’s records clearly show that he distinguished himself in the performance of his military service.  Therefore, it is presumed that his not receiving an Army Good Conduct Medal for his service was an oversight.  Accordingly, he should be awarded this medal.

3.  Records show that the applicant participated in two campaign periods during his service in the Republic of Vietnam.  Therefore, he is eligible for award of two bronze service stars to be affixed to his Vietnam Service Medal.

4.  The applicant’s unit was cited in general orders for award of the Presidential Unit Citation.  Therefore, his records should be corrected to show this unit award.

5.  The applicant’s unit was cited in general orders for award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class Unit Citation.  Therefore, his records should be corrected to show these foreign unit awards.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

__LDS __  _LMD___  __JGH __  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  The Board determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by:

	a.  awarding him the Army Good Conduct Medal for the period from 
30 November 1965 to 5 September 1967; and

	b.  showing that, in addition to the awards shown on his DD Form 214, his authorized awards include the Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, two bronze service stars to be affixed to his already awarded Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.
2.  The Board further determined that the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief.  As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.  




__     Linda D. Simmons _
          CHAIRPERSON




INDEX

CASE ID
AR
SUFFIX

RECON
YYYYMMDD
DATE BOARDED
YYYYMMDD
TYPE OF DISCHARGE
(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)
DATE OF DISCHARGE
YYYYMMDD
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY
AR . . . . .  
DISCHARGE REASON

BOARD DECISION
(NC, GRANT , DENY, GRANT PLUS)
REVIEW AUTHORITY

ISSUES         1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.