BOARD DATE: 22 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160002480 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: 22 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160002480 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. 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. 2. The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by his father in service to our Nation. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms. _____________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: 22 August 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160002480 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, the son of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of his father's DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show the Combat Infantryman Badge. 2. The applicant states his father's DD Form 214 does not show any infantry service and/or direct contact with the enemy, thereby making him eligible for the Combat Infantryman Badge. His father's records are incomplete due to the fire on 12 July 1973. 3. The applicant provides copies of his birth certificate and his father's death certificate. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The FSM's complete military records are not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed approximately 16 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed his records were destroyed in that fire. However, there was sufficient documentation contained in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 2. The FSM's available records contain a copy of his DD Form 214 showing he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 1 December 1950. He held military occupational specialty (MOS) 1603 (Truck Driver (Heavy)). 3. The FSM was honorably released from active duty on 28 November 1952 and he was transferred to the Enlisted Reserve Corps. His DD Form 214 lists in: * Item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations, and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars and United Nations Service Medal * Item 28 (Most Significant Assignment) – Battery A, 78th Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Gun Battalion * Item 29 (Wounds Received as a Result of Action with Enemy Forces) – None * Item 30 (Service Schools or Colleges, College Training Courses, and/or Post-Grad Courses Successfully Completed) – Wheel Vehicle, 8 weeks, 1951 4. There is no available evidence showing the FSM held an infantry MOS and served in an infantry unit during his period of service in Korea. There are also no orders in his limited records awarding him the Combat Infantryman Badge during this period of service. 5. The applicant provided his birth certificate and a death certificate showing the FSM died on 4 August 1985. 6. The FSM's available records also contain a DA Form 1577 (Authorization for Issuance of Awards), dated 5 January 2000, wherein the applicant's widow was advised of the FSM's authorization for and shipment of the following awards: * Army Good Conduct Medal * National Defense Service Medal * Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars * United Nations Service Medal REFERENCE: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties while assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat. An eligible Soldier must actively participate in such ground combat. Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. DISCUSSION: The Combat Infantryman Badge is only awarded to infantrymen. Unfortunately, there is no evidence in the available records that shows the FSM held an infantry MOS or served in an infantry unit at any time during his military service. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160002480 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160002480 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2