IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	       12 November 2008

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080016315 


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 reconsideration of his earlier request for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  The applicant states, in effect, that he met the requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant provides a self-authored letter, dated 18 September 2008 in support of his request.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

1.  Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20080008813, on 12 August 2008.

2.  The applicant submitted a self-authored letter, which was not previously reviewed by the ABCMR; therefore, it is considered new evidence and as such warrants consideration by the Board.

3.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Service) shows he was inducted in the Army of the United States on 18 March 1943 and entered active duty in New Orleans, Louisiana, on 25 March 1943.  This form further shows he was trained in military occupational specialty (MOS) 440 (Bandsman-Trombone) and that at the time of separation, he was assigned to the 698th Field Artillery Battalion.

4.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 also shows he arrived in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations (EAMETO) on 22 November 1944 and departed on 3 February 1946.  He completed 1 year, 8 months, and 4 days of continental service and 1 year, 2 months, and 28 days of foreign service, and was honorably discharged on 19 February 1946 by reason of demobilization.

5.  Item 32 (Battles and Campaigns) of the applicant’s WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he participated in the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns during World War II (WWII).

6.  Item 33 (Decorations and Citations) of the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was awarded the American Theater of Operations Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.  Item 33 does not show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

7.  The applicant submitted a self-authored letter, dated 18 September 2008, in which he states that he takes exception with the Board's decision to deny him the Combat Infantryman Badge.  He adds that by the Board's own admission a fire may have destroyed his records and that he was not consulted when his records were reconstructed.  He also states that he is enclosing a copy of his separation document which shows how much he was paid and that he inquired about the combat pay at the time and was told he would have to transfer to one of the line companies permanently.  He further states, in effect, that his service and achievements should be based on the regulations in effect at the time and asks if any of the Board's members was around at the time.  He concludes that he gave some good years of his life to the Army and that his records may have been burned in a fire in St. Louis, but his memories of the war are still there.

8.  War Department Circular 269-1943, in effect at the time, 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 Military Awards Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, (USAHRC) 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)

9.  All Soldiers are provided basic combat skills training after they enter the Army. This is provided to ensure that all Soldiers have the survival skills to perform basic infantry missions when the need arises.  No other Soldier in combat is more exposed on a daily basis to the dangers and hardships of war and no other branch of the service suffers more casualties than the infantry.  To maintain the prestige, uniqueness, and traditional value of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the criteria for this award has changed little over the years.  The opinion does note that the exigencies of combat may require non-infantry Soldiers to temporarily perform the basic infantry duties that all Soldiers are taught, but it is not a basis for the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant's service and sacrifices during WWII are not in question.  Additionally, his personal memoirs and recollection of that service are noted. 

2.  The reconstructed record used in reviewing this case consisted of the document submitted by the applicant to include his Enlisted Record and Report of Separation-Honorable Discharge, also known as the WD AGO Form 53-55 and his WD AGO Form 372A (Final Payment Worksheet).  Furthermore, War Department Circular 269-1943, in effect at the time, was used in making a determination of eligibility for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.  



3.  There is no evidence in the available records and the applicant did not submit substantiating evidence that shows he held an infantry MOS, was assigned to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size, or that he was an active participant in combat while assigned to that infantry unit.  In the absence of evidence that the applicant was an active participant in combat while assigned to an infantry unit, there is insufficient evidence upon which to base award of the Combat Infantryman Badge in this case.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X____  ___X____  ___X____  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

1.  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 to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20080008813, dated 12 August 2008.

2.  The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to our Nation.  The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.


															XXX
      ______________________
               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)                                         AR20080016315



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080016315



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