IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	        27 MAY 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20090000979 


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 awards of the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

2.  The applicant states that the awards are not listed on his DD Form 214.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 3 February 1971 in support of his request.

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.  With respect to the applicant's Bronze Star Medal, it is noted that on 14 November 1974, he was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) adding award of the Bronze Star Medal.  A copy of this DD Form 215 was provided to the applicant by separate correspondence.  Therefore, the Bronze Star Medal will not be discussed in the Record of Proceedings.

3.  The applicant's records show he was inducted into the Army of the United States and entered active duty on 5 May 1969.  He completed basic combat and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).  He was honorably released from active duty in the rank/grade of specialist four/E-4 and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training) on 3 February 1971.

4.  The applicant’s records show he served in the Republic of Vietnam from on or about 2 May 1970 to on or about 2 February 1971.  He was assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 61st Infantry.

5.  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 (listed twice), the Army Commendation Medal, and the Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16).  Item 24 does not show award of the CIB.

6.  There are no orders in the applicant's records that show he was awarded the CIB.

7.  During the processing of this case, a member for the Board staff reviewed the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the United States Army Human Resources Command which is an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973.  This review failed to reveal any the Combat Infantryman Badge.

8.  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 and 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.

9.  U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 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 Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant was awarded an infantry MOS and was assigned to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size; however, the applicant has not provided sufficient evidence showing that he was directly involved in ground combat.  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:

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)                                         AR20090000979



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090000979



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