2.  The applicant requests award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Air Medal.  

3.  The applicant’s military records show he was inducted into the Army on         16 January 1969.  He was assigned to Vietnam on 17 June 1969 where he served as a rifleman and team leader with Company B, 2d Battalion, 35th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division.  He departed Vietnam on 16 June 1970.

Army Regulation 600-8-22 provides for the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge to a soldier who is an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, who is assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must actively participate in such ground combat.  Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the CIB.

4.  That regulation also provides for the award of the Air Medal to any person who will have distinguished himself while participating in aerial flight.  It is primarily intended to recognize those personnel who are on current crewmember or noncrewmember flying status which requires them to participate in aerial flight on a regular and frequent basis in the performance of their primary duties.  However, it may also be awarded to personnel whose combat duties require them to fly in the attack elements of units involved in airland assaults against an armed enemy.  Involvement in such activities serves only to establish eligibility for award of the Air Medal; the degree of heroism, meritorious achievement or exemplary service determines who should receive the award.

CONCLUSIONS:

1. The applicant’s DA Form 20, Personnel Qualification Record, shows that he is entitled to award of the CIB.

2.  The applicant has submitted no evidence to support his claim that he was awarded or recommended for award of the Air Medal.

3.  In view of the foregoing, it would be in the interest of justice to correct the applicant’s records  to show he is entitled to award of the CIB.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

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

BOARD VOTE:

                       GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

                       GRANT FORMAL HEARING

                       DENY APPLICATION

                                                                         
    CHAIRPERSON