BOARD DATE: 24 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160000810 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING _____x___ ___x_____ ____x____ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration BOARD DATE: 24 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160000810 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined 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. BOARD DATE: 24 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160000810 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 reconsideration of his previous request to correct his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). He also requests the Board research morning reports (for supporting information). 2. The applicant states he was an infantryman attached to Company B, 32nd Infantry Regiment, in Korea. He was awarded the CIB for participating in combat as an infantryman during the Korean War. 3. The applicant provides: * a photograph of a Soldier * a DD Form 214 for the period ending 22 December 1950 * The Graybeards article, May-June 2015 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20120013171 on 21 February 2013. 2. The applicant provides new evidence which warrants reconsideration of his application. 3. His military records are not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, MO, in 1973. It is believed that his records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 4. A DD Form 214, provided by the applicant, shows he entered active duty as an Army National Guard Soldier on 1 September 1950. His military occupational specialty (MOS) is listed as 4745 (Rifleman). On 22 December 1950, he was honorably discharged by reason of “minority concealed” for being underage. 5. He later enlisted in the Regular Army on 21 March 1951 and his DD Form 214 shows: * his Branch is listed as “Armor” * no entry for MOS * he was awarded the Purple Heart when he was lightly wounded in the head by an antitank mine on 5 December 1951 in Korea * his most significant duty assignment (i.e., last duty assignment) was with Headquarters Company, III Corps * he was honorably discharged on 6 April 1954 6. His DD Form 214 also shows he completed 3 years of creditable active service of which 11 months and 7 days was foreign service. 7. His name is listed on the Korean Casualty Roster for injuries sustained on 2 November and 5 December 1951. His MOS is shown as 3795 (Tank Crewman). 8. The applicant provides a photograph of a Soldier (no name plate) wearing the CIB and an article discussing how a Soldier researched morning reports, found his name, and was awarded the CIB. 9. There are no orders awarding him the CIB. REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation 600-70 (Badges), dated 15 April 1948, stated the CIB was authorized for award to an infantry officer, warrant officer, or enlisted man who satisfactorily performed duty while assigned as a member of an infantry regiment or infantry battalion during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat. Commanding officers of infantry regiments and separate infantry battalions were the award authorities. 2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards), currently in effect, states there are basically three requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. The Soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, he must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and he must actively participate in such ground combat. 3. Army Regulation 15-185 (Army Board for Correction of Military Records) prescribes the policies and procedures for correction of military records by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the ABCMR. The regulation provides that the ABCMR begins its consideration of each case with the presumption of administrative regularity. The applicant has the burden of proving an error or injustice by a preponderance of the evidence. DISCUSSION: 1. There are basically three requirements for award of the CIB. The Soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, he must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and he must actively participate in such ground combat. 2. The applicant sustained a combat injury in Korea on 5 December 1951 for which he was awarded the Purple Heart. The Korean casualty roster shows at the time of this injury he held MOS 3795 (Tank Crewman) and his Regular Army DD Form 214 lists his Branch as Armor. A preponderance of the evidence shows the applicant was not serving in an infantry MOS during his period of service in Korea. Award of the CIB requires the individual be an infantryman. 3. Regarding the applicant’s request for the Board to review unit morning reports, the Board is not an investigative body and is unable to conduct such research. However, the applicant is encouraged to seek assistance from the National Archives online at https://www.archives.gov/research or by calling 1-866-272-6272. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160000810 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160000810 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2