IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 28 July 2011
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110002306
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 for his service in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN).
2. The applicant states this badge is missing from his DD Form 214.
3. The applicant provides no additional documentation.
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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 20 February 1968. He completed training and he was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).
3. On 2 August 1968, the applicant departed Fort Benning, GA for duty in the RVN. Item 38 (Record of Assignments) shows:
a. he was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion (Airmobile), 502nd Infantry Regiment on 21 September 1968 for duty as a rifleman;
b. he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company,
2nd Battalion (Airmobile), 506th Infantry Regiment on 10 December 1968 for duty as a rifleman;
c. he was assigned back to Company D, 2nd Battalion (Airmobile), 502nd Infantry Regiment on 25 February 1969 for duty as a rifleman; and
d. his date of departure from Vietnam is not shown.
4. On 25 September 1970, the applicant was honorably discharged. He had attained the rank/grade of private (PV2)/E-2. He completed 2 years, 7 months, and 6 days of total active service.
5. Item 13 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows the:
* National Defense Service Medal
* Vietnam Service Medal
* RVN Campaign Medal with Device (1960)
* Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machinegun (M-60) and Automatic Rifle (M-16) Bars
* Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14)
6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides that the Combat Infantryman Badge 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.
7. U.S. Army Vietnam (USARV) 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 stated that the 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 contends that his DD Form 214 should be corrected to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.
2. The evidence clearly shows that the applicant was awarded an infantry MOS and he was assigned to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size while assigned in the RVN. However, there is insufficient evidence to show that he ever engaged in active ground combat.
3. In view of the above, his request for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge should be denied.
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.
____________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) AR20110002306
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110002306
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