IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	        13 January 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080017351 


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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

2.  The applicant states that he served honorably with B Troop, 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry as an infantryman in the Republic of Vietnam.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, dated 23 April 1972, in support of his application. 

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.  The applicant's records show he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 24 March 1971.  He completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded both military occupational specialty (MOS) 11C (Indirect Fire Infantryman) and MOS 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).  He was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training) on 23 April 1972.  The highest rank/grade he attained during this period of military service was specialist four/E-4.

3.  The applicant's records show that he served in the Republic of Vietnam from 21 August 1971 to 21 April 1972.  Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of the applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he served with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 196th Infantry Brigade.

4.  Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant's DA Form 20 does not show he was awarded the CIB.  

5.  There are no General Orders in the applicant's records that show he was awarded the CIB.

6.  Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicant’s DD Form 214, shows he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960), and the Army Commendation Medal.  Item 24 does not show award of the CIB.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides for award of the CIB.  This regulation states that there are basically three requirements for award of the CIB.  The Soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, he must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and he must actively participate in such ground combat.  Specific requirements state, in effect, that an Army enlisted soldier must have an infantry specialty, satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat.  A recipient must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry primary duty, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy.  Commanders were not allowed to make any exceptions to this policy.  During the Vietnam era, the CIB was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.  


8.  U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation Number 672-1 (Awards and Decorations) specifically governed award of the CIB to Army forces operating in South Vietnam.  This regulation specifically stated that criteria for award of the CIB identified the man who trained, lived, and fought as an infantryman and the CIB is the unique award established to recognize the infantryman and only the infantryman for his service.  Further, “the CIB is not an award for being shot at or for undergoing the hazards of day to day combat.”  This regulation also stated the CIB 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.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends that his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show award of the CIB.

2.  The applicant's records show he served with B Troop, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 196th Infantry Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam.

3.  Neither the applicant's infantry MOS nor his service in the Republic of Vietnam is in question.  However, there is no evidence in the available records and the applicant did not submit substantiating evidence that shows he was personally present and under hostile fire while serving in his assigned infantry MOS, performing infantry duty in an infantry unit that was actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy.  In the absence of such evidence, there is insufficient justification upon which to base award of the CIB in this case.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X____  ___X____  ___X____  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.


															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)                                         AR20080017351



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080017351



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