IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  5 January 2010

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20090012341 


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 to list the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.

2.  The applicant states that the citation for his Bronze Star Medal for his service in Okinawa "…tends to illustrate the close-in battlefield nature of my activity.  Not only did I lead patrols as the write-up states, I also accompanied the [reconnaissance] troop on patrols into enemy territory.  I remind you that I received a Purple Heart when a small patrol I was leading was ambushed.  I don't know the criteria for a Combat Infantry Badge, but I assume it does or should consider your actual battlefield activity.

3.  The applicant provides a typewritten copy of the citation for his Bronze Star Medal for service in Okinawa.

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 AR20080011530 on 15 January 2009.

2.  The applicant's records were lost or destroyed in the 1973 fire at the National Personnel records Center.  He reports that he also suffered a fire in his home some years ago but was able to save some service record documents that were scorched around the edges but were mostly readable.
2.  The applicant, a counter intelligence staff sergeant, was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Military Intelligence branch on 11 March 1945.  He served with distinction in the Pacific theater of operations during World War II.

4.  The copy of the citation for the Bronze Star Medal that he submits with this request for reconsideration is obviously retyped.  However, it is presumed to authentically duplicate the wording of the original.

5.  The citation reads:

Second Lieutenant Edward A. G____, Jr., xxxxxxx4, Military Intelligence, United States Army.  For meritorious service in connection with military operations against the enemy during the period 6 June to 1 July 1945.  Working with an infantry division's counter-intelligence corps detachment, Second Lieutenant G____ displayed tact, resourcefulness, and initiative in handling an unprecedented number of civilians and prisoners of war during this phase of the Okinawa Operation.  Applying himself diligently to the task before him, Second Lieutenant G____ organized and directed work of interrogation teams and rendered valuable assistance in establishing a network of screening points.  On several occasions he conducted patrols under enemy fire into the hills on the Chinen Peninsula, searching for civilians hidden in caves and underground installations.  Through his initiatives and perseverance, he was largely responsible for the screening of more than 900 prisoners of war from the several thousands of civilians in the area.  Second Lieutenant G____'s complete devotion to duty reflected great credit on himself and the military service.

6.  War Department Circular 269-1943 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.

7.  All Soldiers are provided basic combat skills training when 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.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends that the citation for his Bronze Star Medal for Okinawa illustrates the close-in battlefield nature of his activity and justifies award of the Combat infantryman Badge.

2.  The criteria for the Combat Infantryman Badge were and are very specific.  Those criteria start with the requirement that the Soldier be an infantryman.

3.  The applicant's branch was Military Intelligence.  He was neither an infantry officer nor an enlisted infantryman and he was not eligible for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.  The Combat Infantryman Badge is not an award for just being in combat.  There is no question that the applicant served in combat.  However, even if his Bronze Star Medal had been awarded for heroism, that would not have qualified him for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

4.  Nevertheless, he served with distinction, including in combat.  His ineligibility for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge in no way detracts from the quality or significance of his service.

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 to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20080011530, dated 15 January 2009.



      ___________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)                                         AR20090012341



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20090012341



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