IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 20 March 2012
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110019274
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 served in military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (light weapons infantryman) in the Republic of Vietnam and feels he is entitled to the CIB.
3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge).
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
28 November 1967. He completed training and he was awarded MOS 11B.
The highest rank/grade he attained while serving on active duty was specialist four (SP4)/E-4.
3. The applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he served in Vietnam from 20 August 1968 to 15 August 1969. Item 38 (Record of Assignments) of his DA Form 20 shows he was assigned to the 50th and 503rd Infantry Regiments, 173rd Airborne Brigade performing duties in MOS 11B as a rifleman from 29 August 1968 through 30 January 1969 and as an ammunition handler from 31 January through 14 August 1969. On 15 August 1969, he departed Vietnam en route to the United States for separation processing.
4. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20 does not show award of the CIB.
5. On 18 August 1969, the applicant was honorably released from active duty and he was transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) Control Group (Annual Training) to complete his remaining Reserve obligation. He completed 1 year,
8 months, and 21 days of total active service. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of the DD Form 214 he was issued at the time does not show award of the CIB.
6. There is no evidence of record and the applicant did not provide any evidence that shows he was personally present and participated with a qualifying infantry unit while the unit was engaged in active ground combat with enemy forces. There is also no evidence that he was recommended for or awarded the CIB.
7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states 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.
8. U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Awards) also stated that criteria for award of the CIB identified the man who trained, lived, and fought as an infantryman and that the CIB was 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, to enlisted personnel, and to warrant officers who had an infantry specialty/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's claim of entitlement to the CIB was carefully considered. However, by regulation, in order to qualify for award of the CIB there must be evidence not only that the member held and served in an infantry MOS with a qualifying infantry unit, but also that he was present and personally participated with his qualifying infantry unit while it was engaged in active ground combat with enemy forces.
2. Notwithstanding his sincerity, in the absence of official documentary evidence that conclusively shows he was personally present with the qualifying infantry unit when it was engaged in active ground combat and that he actively participated in such ground combat, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant's requested relief.
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) AR20110019274
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110019274
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