PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:            13 January 2000                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999020789

	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. Edmund P. Mercanti		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Ernest M. Willcher		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ernest W. Lutz, Jr.		Member	
	Ms. Margaret V. Thompson		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 he be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) and the Bronze Star Medal (BSM).

3.  The applicant states that other people who served in the Dominican Republic have been awarded these decorations.

4.  Counsel states that unit records show that the applicant was under continuous sniper fire while in the Dominican Republic and, therefore, should have his request granted.

5.  The applicant’s military records show that he enlisted in the Regular Army on 16 July 1962, was awarded the military occupational specialty of heavy weapons infantryman, and was promoted to pay grade E-4.

6.  He served in the Dominican Republic from 3 May to 22 June 1965 while assigned to Company B, 2/508th Infantry (Airborne).  Copies of his unit’s daily staff journal or duty officer’s log show that the applicant’s unit was under heavy enemy fire and sustained several casualties during its brief stay in the Dominican Republic.

7.  Army Regulation 672-5-1 prescribes Army policy and procedures concerning awards.  Paragraph 8-6 provides for award of the CIB.  That paragraph states that there are basically three requirements for award of the CIB.  The soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, he must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and he must actively participate in such ground combat.  Specific requirements state, in effect, that an Army enlisted soldier must be have an infantry or special forces specialty, satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger or special forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat.  A recipient must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry or special forces primary duty, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy.  This paragraph specifically names the Dominican Republic as a campaign which would entitle an infantryman the CIB, if otherwise eligible.

8.  Army Regulation 672-5-1 provides, in pertinent part, that the BSM is awarded to any person who distinguished himself by heroism or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight in connection with military operations involving conflict with an opposing armed force.  As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required.  Recommendations must be made within 2 years of the event or period of service and the award must be made within 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant was entitled to the award of the CIB since he served as an infantryman in the Dominican Republic.  

2.  However, since there is no indication that the applicant was recommended for the BSM, he is not entitled to that decoration.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all Department of the Army records pertaining to this case be corrected by showing that the individual concerned was awarded the CIB for his service in the Dominican Republic.

2.  That anything in excess to the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

_emw___  _ewl____  _mvt_____  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		_____Ernest M. Willcher_______
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999020789	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20000113	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.