MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:            19 November 1998 
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AC98-11672

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

	Mr.	Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Mr.	Jessie B. Strickland		Analyst	

	The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr.	Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr.	Thomas A. Pagan		Member	
	Ms.	Barbara J. Ellis		Member	

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

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

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That he be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

APPLICANT STATES:  In effect, that that he believes that his service in Vietnam as a light weapons infantryman qualified him for award of the CIB.  He goes on to state that he was assigned to the Military Assistance Command - Vietnam (MACV) in Kontum, Vietnam where during the day he performed the duties of company clerk, filled sand bags, built bunkers, accompanied convoys, showed movies, and performed the duties of tower guard during the hours of 2300 to 0300 every night. He further states that he does not pretend to compare himself to those soldiers who served in front line outfits but that he saw action in the performance of his duties that should qualify him for award of the CIB. 

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

The applicant was inducted on 6 October 1966.  He successfully completed his training as a light weapons infantryman and was transferred to Vietnam on 20 March 1967.  He was assigned to the MACV as a security guard and remained in Vietnam until 19 March 1968, when he was transferred to Fort Dix, New Jersey.

He remained on active duty until he was honorably released from active duty on 24 August 1968 under the early student release program.  He had served 1 year, 10 months, and 19 days of total active service and was transferred to the USAR Control Group (Annual Training).

His official records show that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and two overseas service bars for his service in Vietnam.

Army Regulation 672-5-1, in effect at the time, provides the criteria for award of the CIB.  It states, in pertinent part, that the CIB is awarded to Army infantry or special forces personnel in the grade of colonel or below with an infantry or special forces MOS who perform the duties of an infantryman while assigned to an infantry unit during any period in which the unit was engaged in ground combat.  Battle participation credit alone is not sufficient.

DISCUSSION:  Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:

1.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy the aforementioned requirement.

2.  While the applicant did serve in Vietnam, there is no evidence in the available records to show that he performed the duties of an infantryman in a combat environment to the extent necessary to qualify for award of the CIB.  

3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___be___  ___fe___  ___tap___  DENY APPLICATION

						Loren G. Harrell
						Director