PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF: 

	BOARD DATE:           1 July 1999       
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999016476

	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. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. JoAnn H. Langston 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Fred K. McCoy		Member	
	Mr. Stanley Kelley		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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that he served as a light weapons infantryman in Vietnam and was issued a CIB out in the field in 1968-1969.  In support of his application, he submits two DD Forms 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge with an effective date of 5 January 1970 and Report of Separation from Active Duty with an effective date of 3 February 1978) and a segment of special orders number 162 (date unknown). 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted on 23 May 1968.  He served as a light weapons infantryman in Vietnam from 17 October 1968 to 30 December 1969 and was honorably separated on 5 January 1970.  The applicant enlisted on 4 February 1975 for a period of 3 years.  He served in Alaska from 21 October 1975 to 3 November 1977 and was honorably separated on 3 February 1978.  

5.  The applicant’s DD Forms 214 do not show the CIB as an authorized award.  The Board notes that 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 also not shown on his DD Forms 214.  

6.  There are no orders in the applicant’s personnel records which show that he was awarded the CIB.  Records show that the applicant was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (light weapons infantryman) upon completion of Advanced Individual Training.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was assigned to an infantry company and served in MOS 11B during his assignment in Vietnam.

7.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 2, dated 1971.

8.  The applicant was awarded the Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Order Number 53, dated 1970.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) 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.  Evidence of record shows the applicant was trained in an infantry MOS and served in an infantry company in combat in Vietnam.  Therefore, he is entitled to award of 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 military records to show these awards. 

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

RECOMMENDATION:

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

BOARD VOTE:  

JHL_____  FKM____  SK_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		JoAnn H. Langston_____
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999016476	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	19990701	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	19780203	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR 635-200 CHAPTER 5 	
DISCHARGE REASON	OVERSEAS RETURNEE	
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT PLUS)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0111	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.