IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 23 April 2009
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090001191
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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
2. The applicant states he served in the Republic of Vietnam with Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade, 1st Air Cavalry Division from
29 December 1971 to 23 June 1972 in an infantry military occupational specialty (MOS). He also states his unit was attacked early in 1972 and a specialist was shot.
3. The applicant provides a copy of page one of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) 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 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's military personnel records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 29 June 1971 for a period of 2 years. He completed basic combat training and advanced individual training and was awarded the MOS of 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).
3. On 29 December 1971, the applicant was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade in the Republic of Vietnam. He was assigned duties as a rifleman in MOS 11B.
4. There are no orders in the applicant's military personnel record awarding him the Combat Infantryman Badge. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his
DA Form 20 does not show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
5. On 13 June 1972, the applicant was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Republic of Vietnam.
6. On 10 January 1973, the applicant was released from active duty. He had completed 1 year, 6 months, and 12 days of active service that was characterized as honorable. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the applicants DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) with an effective date of 10 January 1973 does not show he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.
7. U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation Number 672-1 (Awards and Decorations), in effect at the time, 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.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant was assigned as a rifleman in the MOS of 11B and he was assigned to an infantry company while in the Republic of Vietnam. However, there is no evidence of record and the applicant has not submitted any evidence that shows he served in active ground combat while he was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade.
2. The regulation specifies a recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry MOS, while the unit is actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy.
3. There is no evidence of record and the applicant has not submitted any evidence that shows he was present and under hostile fire while he was assigned to Company B, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 3rd Brigade. Therefore, there is insufficient evidence to award the Combat Infantryman Badge.
4. In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust. The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy that requirement.
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 for correction of the records of the individual concerned.
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.
_______ _ X _______ ___
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) AR20090001191
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090001191
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