IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 01 July 2009 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20090003838 THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE: 1. Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). 2. Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any). THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant requests award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) for his service in Vietnam. 2. The applicant states that while in Vietnam he served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division and he held an infantry military occupational specialty (MOS). 3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) in support of his application. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 12 October 1965 for a period of 3 years. At the completion of basic combat training and advanced individual training, he was awarded MOS 11B (light weapons infantryman). 3. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he was assigned to Vietnam from 12 May 1966 through 12 May 1967. Special Orders Number 128, dated 8 May 1967, shows he was assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry. 4. His DA Form 20 does not list the CIB in item 41 (Awards and Decorations). There are no orders in the applicant's personnel records which show he was awarded the CIB. 5. The applicant was released from active duty on 11 October 1968. His DD Form 214 for the period ending 11 October 1968 does not show entitlement to the CIB. 6. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army again on 24 August 1970 and he was honorably discharged on 23 August 1974. During this period of service he served in Vietnam from 19 January 1971 to 9 January 1972 in MOS 61B (Landing Craft Operator) with the 1099th Transportation Company, 5th Transportation Company, and with the 355th Transportation Detachment. 7. His DD Form 214 for the period ending 23 August 1974 does not show entitlement to the CIB. 8. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides, in pertinent part, that the CIB 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. Additionally Appendix V of USARV 672-1 provides that during the Vietnam era the CIB was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11D, 11F, 11G, or 11H. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's statements regarding award of the CIB were considered. However, he has not provided sufficient evidence on which to grant his request. 2. To support award of the CIB, the applicant is required to have been an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties while assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit engaged in active ground combat, and he must have actively participated in such ground combat. 3. The available evidence shows the applicant served in an infantry MOS while assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry during his tour in Vietnam from 12 May 1966 through 12 May 1967. However, therefore, there is insufficient evidence to show the applicant actively participated in ground combat while serving with this unit. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___X___ ___X____ ____X___ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. _______ _ X_______ ___ CHAIRPERSON I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090003838 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20090003838 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1