IN THE CASE OF: . BOARD DATE: 7 December 2020 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20200003422 APPLICANT REQUESTS: award of the Combat Medical Badge. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three-year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 2. The applicant states he was not awarded the Combat Medical Badge. He was a medic and he was in combat. It’s never too late to do the right thing. 3. The applicant's records contain sufficient evidence to support additional awards not shown on his DD Form 214. His DD Form 214 for the period ending 8 August 1968 will be administratively corrected without Board action to show award of the: * Army Commendation Medal * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Three Bronze Service Stars to his already awarded Vietnam Service Medal * Valorous Unit Award 4. The Board will consider the Combat Medical Badge. 5. Review of the applicant’s service records shows: a. He was inducted into the Army of the United states on 8 September 1966. He held the military occupational specialty 91B (Medical Specialist). b. He served in Vietnam from 10 August 1967 to 9 August 1968. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division. c. His DA Form 60 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows in item 38 (Record of assignments) his duty MOS as 91B20 and his principal duty as Medical Aidman. d. He was released from active duty on 14 April 1972. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 1 years, 1 month, and 28 days of active service. It also shows he was awarded or authorized: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device * Sharpshooter Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Pistol Bar (45 Caliber) 6. The applicant’s record is void of evidence showing he was awarded the Combat Medical Badge. 7. By regulation, the award of the Combat Medical Badge requires: * a medical department MOS * assignment or attachment to a medical unit of company or smaller size that is organic to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size * engagement in active ground combat BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. Evidenced by the narrative accompanied to his BSM with “V” device, the Board determined he should be awarded the CMB for those events on 11 November 1967. 2. Prior to closing the case, the Board did note the analyst of record administrative notes below, and recommended the correction is completed to more accurately depict the military service of the applicant. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 :XX :XX :XX GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by awarding him the Combat Medic Badge for his actions during contact with enemy forces on 11 November 1967, and adding the badge to his DD Form 214. 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. ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S): A review of the applicant’s records show his DD Form 214 contained administrative errors and/or omitted administrative entries. As a result, amend the DD Form 214 by adding: * Army Commendation Medal * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Three Bronze Service Stars to his already awarded Vietnam Service Medal * Valorous Unit Award REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, United States 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 ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Combat Medical Badge was designed to provide recognition to the field medic who accompanies the infantryman into battle and shares experiences unique to the infantry in combat. There was never any intention to award the Combat Medical Badge to all medical personnel who serve in a combat zone or imminent danger area. a. The Combat Medical Badge is awarded to members of the Army Medical Department (colonel and below) who are assigned or attached to an infantry unit of either a brigade, regiment, or smaller size, or to a medical unit of company or smaller size, organic to an infantry unit of brigade or smaller size, during any period the infantry unit is engaged in actual ground combat on or after 6 December 1941. Battle participation credit is not sufficient; the infantry unit must have been in contact with the enemy. b. Effective 19 December 1989, SF personnel possessing MOS 18D (SF medical sergeant) who satisfactorily perform medical duties while assigned or attached to a SF unit during any period the unit is engaged in active ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards under these criteria are not authorized prior to 19 December 1989 c. Effective 16 January 1991, medical personnel outlined in paragraph 8–7a(1) assigned or attached to armor and ground cavalry units of brigade or smaller size, who satisfactorily perform medical duties while the unit is engaged in actual ground combat, provided they are personally present and under fire. Retroactive awards under these criteria are not authorized prior to 16 January 1991 3. AR 600-8-22 also states a bronze service star, based on qualifying service for each campaign listed in Appendix B of this regulation, will be worn on the appropriate service medal. 4. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by unit serving in Vietnam. The pamphlet shows the unit to which the applicant was assigned, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Calvary, 4th Infantry Division, Vietnam, was cited for the following awards: * Valorous Unit Award, for the period 15-31 October 1967 by DAGO 39, 1970 * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, for the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973 by DAGO 8, 1974 //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20200003422 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1