PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            10 November 1998                    
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-10209

	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	
	Mr. Lee Cates		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Calvin M. Fowler		Chairperson	
	Ms. Irene E. Wheelwright		Member	
	Ms. Margaret K. Patterson		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 that his records be corrected to show his entitlement to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. 

3.  The applicant states that the Combat Infantryman Badge was not recorded on his separation document.

4.  The applicant was inducted on 2 May 1968.  He completed his required training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 05C (Radio Teletype Operator).  He served in Vietnam from November 1968 to December 1969, in his MOS.  He was separated on 16 December 1969.

5.  The applicant’s DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.  The Board notes that the applicant is entitled to the Purple Heart based on wounds received in action on 25 December 1968.

6.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), indicates, in pertinent part, that the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry military occupational specialty. They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit or 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.  Evidence of record shows the applicant served in MOS 05C during his assignment in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is not entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  The evidence further shows his entitlement to award of the Purple Heart and his records will be corrected accordingly.

3.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing his eligibility to award of the Purple Heart for wounds received on 25 December 1968. 

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

BOARD VOTE:  

CMF____  IEW_____  MKP____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON