MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           29 March 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000051042

	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	
	Mr. William Blakely		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. John N. Slone		Chairperson	
	Mr. Lester Echols		Member	
	Mr. Christopher J. Prosser		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:  In effect, that his records be corrected to show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

APPLICANT STATES:  That he served in combat as rifleman and that his separation document should reflect award of the CIB.  In support of his application he submits WD AGO Form 106 (Request for Decoration and/or Citation).

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

The applicant’s military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire in 1973.  The information herein was gleaned from a copy of the applicant’s separation document. 

His separation document shows he was inducted into the Army on 16 October 1943.  He was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 542 (Communication).  His awards include the World War II Victory Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.  He was honorably released from active duty on 2 May 1946 in the rank of Technician 5th grade.

The applicant’s separation document does not show the CIB as an authorized award.  

WD AGO Form 106 submitted by the applicant indicates at the time of his separation from the Army he requested award of the CIB on 1 May 1946.

War Department Circular 269-1943 established the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge to recognize and provide an incentive to infantrymen.  The Expert Infantryman Badge was to be awarded for
attainment of certain proficiency standards or by satisfactory performance of duty in action against the enemy.  The Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded for exemplary conduct in action against the enemy.  War Department Circular 186-1944 further provided that the Combat Infantryman Badge was to be awarded only to infantrymen serving with infantry units of brigade, regimental or smaller size.  Additionally, World War II holders of the Combat Infantryman Badge received a monthly pay supplement known as combat infantry pay and holders of the Expert Infantryman Badge were entitled to expert infantry pay.  Therefore, soldiers had economic as well as intangible reasons to ensure that their records were correct.  Thus, pay records are frequently the best available source to verify entitlement to this award.  

The Awards Branch, Total Army Personnel Command, has advised in similar cases that, during World War II, the Combat Infantryman Badge was normally awarded only to enlisted individuals who served in the following positions: 
    a.  Light machine gunner (604)
    b.  Heavy machine gunner (605)
    c.  Platoon sergeant (651)
    d.  Squad leader (653)
    e.  Rifleman (745)
    f.  Automatic rifleman (746)
    g.  Heavy weapons NCO (812)
    h.  Gun crewman (864)

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.  There is no evidence of record that shows the applicant was awarded or recommended for the Combat Infantryman Badge.  There is no evidence which shows that he was personally present under hostile fire or was assigned to a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy.  Also, the applicant’s MOS was 542 (Communication) and he did not possess an infantry MOS as required by regulation.  Therefore, he is not entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  The WD AGO Form 106 submitted by the applicant was utilized at the time of separation to determine whether a soldier believed he was entitled to any awards other than those already listed on his separation document.  The form does not serve as verification of entitlement for awards.

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

__JNS___  ___LE___  __CJP___  DENY APPLICATION

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

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000051042	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	20010329	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR .  .  .  .  .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.00	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.