PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:            24 June 2003
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2003084988

	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. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Ms. Joyce A. Hall		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Walter T. Morrison		Chairperson	
	Mr. Lester Echols		Member	
	Mr. Lawrence Foster		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 in Vietnam from 10 August 1967 to 10 August 1968 as an 11B (Rifleman) and that he engaged in combat action.
In support of his request the applicant submits a copy of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) and a copy of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer of Discharge).

4.  The applicant’s military records show that on 13 February 1967 he enlisted in the Regular Army for a period of 3 years.  He completed the required training and was awarded military occupational specialty 11B20 (Light Weapon Infantryman).

5.  The applicant served in Vietnam from 14 August 1967 to 12 August 1968.
He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 
12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division as a rifleman.  

6.  On 12 February 1967, the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the U. S. Army Reserve Control Group.  His DD Form 214 shows as authorized awards the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 bronze service stars, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.  It does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award.

7.  There are no orders in the applicant’s records that show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge.

8.  Special Orders Number 78, dated 6 April 1967, from Headquarters 1st Training Brigade, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, awarded the applicant the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14).  However, this award does not appear on the applicant's DD Form 214.

9.  Special Orders Number 125, dated 16 May 1967, from Headquarters Fort Polk, Fort Polk, Louisiana, awarded the applicant the Marksman Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16).  This award is not listed on the applicant's DD Form 214 as an authorized award.

10.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows that the 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division was cited for award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation for the period 10 October 1966 through 28 July 1969, by Department of the Army General Order (DAGO) Number 3, dated 1970.

11.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 also shows that the 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division was cited for award of the Republic of Vietnam 

Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation for the period 1 October 1966 through 31 October 1969, by DAGO 53, dated 1970.

12.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 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.  The Board considered the applicant's request for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

2.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant received the required training and was awarded the infantryman MOS.  He served in an infantry unit that was engaged in combat operations during the Vietnam War from 14 August 1967 through 12 August 1968.  Therefore, in accordance with the governing regulation, he is entitled to the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge.

3.  The Board noted that the applicant was awarded the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) and the Marksman Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16).  Therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show these awards.

4.  The evidence of record also shows that the applicant was assigned to a unit during a time the unit was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.  Therefore, correction of his records to show these awards would be appropriate. 

5.  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: 
	a.  awarding the individual concerned the Combat Infantryman Badge.

	b.  amending the applicant's DD Form 214 to show that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14), the Marksman Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16), the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation.

BOARD VOTE:  

________  ________  ________  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

_LF_____  _WTM___  _LE____   DENY APPLICATION

		Mr. Walter T. Morrison__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

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