MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           16 October 2001                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001059725

	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	
	Ms. Wanda L. Waller		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Donald P. Hupman 		Member	
	Ms. Regan K. Smith 		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:  Correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.  

APPLICANT STATES:  That he should be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for his combat service in South Vietnam in 1967/1968 with the 
2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry based at Pleiku.  He contends that although he was assigned to the Headquarters Troop, he was often in the bush to deliver ammunition and supplies, evacuated dead/wounded soldiers and was frequently under fire.  He also contends that during the TET Offensive he manned the lines with everybody else to defend his base and later helped stack and burn enemy bodies.  He goes on to state that he was assigned to A Troop for the first two to three months of his tour in Vietnam.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his DD Form 214; a Decree for Changing of Names, dated 8 July 1969; a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) Treatment Summary, dated 25 September 2000; and three medical records dated 8 September 2000, 25 August 2000 and 11 August 2000. 

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

The applicant was inducted on 17 June 1966.  He served as an armor crewman in Vietnam from 10 August 1967 through 2 June 1968 and was honorably released from active duty on 5 June 1968.

The applicant’s DD Form 214, which was authenticated in his own hand, does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.

There are no orders for the Combat Infantryman Badge contained in the available records.

The applicant’s military records show that he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry of the 4th Infantry Division in military occupational specialty (MOS) 11E (armor crewman) during his assignment in Vietnam.   

The applicant provided DVA documentation in support of his claim.  This documentation shows the applicant is in treatment for symptoms consistent with chronic Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. 

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.

U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation Number 672-1 (Awards and Decorations) specifically governed award of the Combat Infantryman Badge to Army forces operating in South Vietnam.  This regulation specifically stated that criteria for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge identified the man who trained, lived, and fought as an infantryman and the Combat Infantryman Badge is the unique award established to recognize the infantryman and only the infantryman for his service.  Further, “the Combat Infantryman Badge is not an award for being shot at or for undergoing the hazards of day to day combat.”  This regulation also stated the Combat Infantryman Badge was authorized for award to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS and required that they must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size.

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.  Although the applicant contends that he is entitled to the Combat Infantryman Badge, evidence of record shows he served in MOS 11E (armor crewman) during his assignment in Vietnam.

2.  There is no evidence of record that the applicant was ever awarded an infantry MOS, served in an infantry MOS, or served in active ground combat while an assigned member of an infantry company in Vietnam.  Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  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 this requirement.

4.  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

RVO___  DPH_____  RKS_____  DENY APPLICATION

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

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001059725	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20011016	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	 	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0111	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.