MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           25 January 2001                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000048014

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. June Hajjar		Chairperson	
	Mr. Lester Echols		Member	
	Ms. Karen A. Heinz		Member	

	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 the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) be added to his Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214.

APPLICANT STATES:  That he was awarded the CIB at a company ceremony in December 1952.

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

That after having had prior service in the Army National Guard, he enlisted in the Regular Army on 24 September 1948 and had continuous service until he was medically retired on 20 April 1972.

The applicant’s Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20, shows that he  served in Korea from 6 September 1952 through 21 June 1953.  

The applicant received a DD Form 214 for the period 24 September 1948 through 24 July 1951 and for the period 16 December 1955 through                  15 December 1961.  The DD Form 214 that would have covered his service in Korea is not available.  These two DD Forms 214 show that he held military occupational specialties (MOS) 4745 (Light Weapons Infantryman) and 111.70 (Light Weapons Infantryman).  His DA Form 20, however, shows that during the period he was assigned to Korea he worked in duty MOS 12B20 (Combat Engineer) and Special Orders 113, Headquarters, 38th Infantry Regiment dated 29 April 1953 show that he was promoted to Corporal in MOS 1729 (Combat Construction).

Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes Army policy and criteria concerning individual military awards.  In pertinent part, it states that the CIB was established during World War II to provide special recognition of the unique role of the Army infantryman, the only soldier whose daily mission is to close with and destroy the enemy and to seize and hold terrain.  The badge was intended as an inducement for individuals to join the infantry while serving as a morale booster for infantrymen.  In developing the CIB, the War Department did not dismiss or ignore the contributions of other branches.  Their vital contributions to the overall war effort were noted, but it was decided that other awards and decorations were sufficient to recognize their contributions.  From the beginning, Army leadership have taken care to retain the badge for the unique purpose for which it was established.  There are basically three requirements for award of the CIB.  The soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, must be 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.  

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.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant performed duties as a combat engineer, not an infantryman, while he was in Korea.  In addition, for a portion of the time he was in Korea he held a combat engineer, not an infantry, MOS.  The Board acknowledges the valuable services he performed during his tour in Korea; however, they do not qualify him for award of the CIB.  Many individuals were probably not aware of the strict requirements for award of the CIB and commanders may have erroneously awarded the CIB where the eligibility criteria had not been met.  Nevertheless, that is insufficient reason to grant the relief requested in this case.  

2.  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

__jh____  __le____  __kah___  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000048014	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20010125	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0111	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.