IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  10 July 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120000847 


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, the son of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests reconsideration of an earlier request that his late father be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

2.  The applicant states:

	a.  his father received the European-African-Middle Eastern (EAME) Campaign Medal with three bronze service stars with arrowhead for his amphibious assault landing on Normandy.

	b.  only infantry series may test for the Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB).  His father did receive this award which had to be endorsed by his chain of command as an infantryman attached to the 50th Armored Infantry Regiment, 6th Armored Division (Super Six), 3rd Army.  He offensively engaged the enemy throughout Normandy, Northern France, Luxembourg, Battle of the Bulge, and Germany.  He and his unit had to aggressively seek out and destroy the enemy for approximately 1 year and 2 months.  These circumstances would be favorable for the CIB.

	c.  his father's company commander states in a personal letter addressed to his father …"You have been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, and I will be more than willing to give an affidavit."  The personal recollection and integrity as stated by his company commander does verify his father being awarded the CIB.  This letter was previously considered by the Board. 

3.  The applicant provides:

* Personal statement, dated 22 December 2011
* Letter, dated 18 January 2012, from a Member of Congress

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 AR20110010708, on 1 December 2011.

2.  The applicant's arguments are new evidence that will be considered by the Board.

3.  The FSM's military records are not available to the Board for review.  A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the NPRC in 1973.  It is believed that the FSM's records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  However, there were sufficient documents available for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.

4.  The FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation – Honorable Discharge) shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 7 April 1942.  He served in the European Theater of Operations from 26 February 1944 to 18 April 1945 and he was honorably discharged on 18 June 1945 with a certificate of disability.

5.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 also shows:

* his organization was the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion
* he held the military occupational special (MOS) of Motor Transportation Noncommissioned Officer at the time of his separation
* he participated in the Normandy, Rhineland, and Northern France  campaigns
* he was awarded the EIB, Good Conduct Medal, EAME Campaign Medal, and American Defense Service Medal

6.  Item 31 (Military Qualification and Date – infantry, aviation, and marksmanship badges) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 does not show the CIB.  

7.  There are no orders for the CIB in the available records. 

8.  There is no evidence which shows he received combat infantry pay during World War II.

9.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-1 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register), shows, among other information, unit awards and citations authorized for units which served during World War II.  This document shows the FSM's unit (50th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division did not receive credit for an assault landing during World War II.

10.  Army historical records show the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division arrived in France on 28 July 1944. 

11.  War Department Circular 269-1943 established the CIB and the EIB to recognize and provide an incentive to infantrymen.  The EIB was to be awarded for attainment of certain proficiency standards or by satisfactory performance of duty in action against the enemy.  The CIB was awarded for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy.  War Department Circular 186-1944 further provided that the CIB was to be awarded only to infantrymen serving with infantry units of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  Additionally, World War II holders of the CIB received a monthly pay supplement known as combat infantry pay and holders of the EIB were entitled to expert infantry pay.  Soldiers had economic as well as intangible reasons to ensure that their records were correct; therefore, pay records are frequently the best available source to verify entitlement to this award.  The Military Awards Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command (USAHRC) has advised in similar cases that, during World War II, the CIB was normally awarded only to enlisted individuals who served in the following positions:

* Light machine gunner (604)
* Heavy machine gunner (605)
* Platoon sergeant (651)
* Squad leader (653)
* Rifleman (745)
* Automatic rifleman (746)
* Heavy weapons NCO (812)
* Gun crewman (864)

12.  War Department Circular Number 408, dated 17 October 1944 and effective 
1 November 1944, restricted award of the CIB to officers, warrant officers, and enlisted men assigned to infantry regiments, infantry battalions, and elements thereof designated as infantry.  Personnel whose eligibility was thus established could qualify for award of the CIB by satisfactory performance of duty in ground combat against the enemy.  Announcement of the award of the CIB would be made in regimental or unit orders.

13.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states award of the EIB requires that an individual must have satisfactorily completed the prescribed proficiency tests while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of at least battalion size.  To be eligible for testing and award of the EIB, a Soldier must be in an active Army status and must have an infantry or special forces specialty.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends his father received the EAME with three bronze service stars with arrowhead for his amphibious assault landing on Normandy.  However, Army historical records show his father's unit (50th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division) arrived in France on 28 July 1944, not D-Day.  DA Pamphlet 672-1 does not give the 50th Armored Infantry Battalion, 
6th Armored Division assault landing credit. 

2.  The applicant's remaining contentions were carefully considered; however, the existing evidence of record does not support awarding the CIB.

* There are no orders
* The CIB is not shown on the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55
* There are no pay records showing payment of combat infantry pay
* There is no proof the FSM's unit participated in a combat assault landing

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 to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20110010708, dated 1 December 2011.

2.  The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the FSM 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)                                         AR20120000847





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120000847



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