IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 10 July 2008
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20080007297
THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:
1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).
2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).
THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant requests correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
2. The applicant states that he was not awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for service in South Vietnam. He contends that due to an administrative error at the time he was overlooked as he was eager to go home and that he realized he was eligible for this badge during his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder counseling.
3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214.
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 applicants 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 applicants failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.
2. The applicant was inducted on 14 January 1969. He was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (light weapons infantryman). He served in MOS 11B assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry of the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam from 15 July 1970 through 6 January 1971. He was released from active duty on 7 January 1971.
3. The applicants DD Form 214 does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.
4. 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 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 has advised, in similar cases during the Vietnam era that the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
Although the evidence of record shows the applicant held and served in an infantry MOS in Vietnam, there is no evidence of record which shows he served in active ground combat while an assigned member of an infantry unit of brigade or smaller size in Vietnam. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Combat Infantryman Badge in this case.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
____xx__ ____xx__ ___xx___ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
_ ______xxxx______________
CHAIRPERSON
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080007297
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20080007297
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