PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:                              
	DOCKET NUMBER:       AC98-07323

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Ms. Beverly A. Young		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. 		Chairperson	
	Mr. 		Member	
	Mr. 		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests correction of his records to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The applicant states he was attached to the 3rd Brigade of the 25th Infantry Task Force and was in combat landing zones and other remote areas.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted on 20 September 1966.  He completed basic and advanced individual training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 36K10 (Wireman).  He was assigned to Vietnam from 27 February 1967 to 22 February 1968 and was honorably discharged on 19 September 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.  The Board notes the applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation which are not shown his discharge document.

6.  The applicant’s personnel records show that he was assigned in Vietnam in his MOS of wireman.  His records do not show he held an infantry duty position in combat in Vietnam.

7.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 8, dated 1974.  

8.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 51, dated 1971.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides, in pertinent part, 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.  The Awards Branch of the Total Army Personnel Command has advised, in similar cases, that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11F, 11G, or 11H.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is no evidence in the applicant’s record that he possessed an infantry MOS or served in an infantry duty position in combat in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is not entitled to the CIB.
2.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his records to show these awards.

3.  In view of the foregoing findings and conclusions, it would be appropriate to correct the applicant’s records, but only as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation and the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

SAC_____  JEV_____  LLS____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON