IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 16 February 2011
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100020948
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 (CIB).
2. The applicant states he was an infantryman assigned to an infantry unit and participated in active ground combat in Vietnam.
3. The applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) and DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record).
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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 22 August 1967. He completed initial entry training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).
3. Item 31 (Foreign Service) of his DA Form 20 shows he served in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN) from 9 February 1968 to 6 February 1969 and item 38 (Record of Assignments) shows he was assigned to infantry units while in the RVN. The CIB is not included in the list of awards contained in item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20.
4. His official military personnel file (OMPF) is void of orders or any other document that indicates he was recommended for or awarded the CIB.
5. On 21 August 1969, he was honorably released from active duty by reason of expiration of his term of service. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 does not show the CIB.
6. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the Military Awards Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, failed to reveal any orders for the CIB pertaining to the applicant.
7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the CIB is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS. They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size. Additionally, appendix V of U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) states that during the Vietnam era the CIB was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11D, 11F, 11G, or 11H.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The applicant's contention that he is entitled to award of the CIB has been carefully considered.
2. The evidence shows he was awarded MOS 11B and served with infantry units while in the RVN. However, it does not sufficiently show he ever engaged in active ground combat while assigned to these units.
3. His OMPF is void of orders or any other documents that indicate he was recommended for or awarded the CIB. There is simply insufficient evidence to corroborate his contention that he engaged in active ground combat while in the RVN.
4. In view of the foregoing, the applicant's request should be denied.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ___X_____ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
___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 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) AR20100020948
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100020948
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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
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