PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           12 April 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999033318

	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.  

	Mrs. Joyce A. Hughes		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Robert G. Hinkle		Chairperson	
	Ms. Barbara J. Ellis		Member	
	Mr. James P. Stueve		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 Infantry Badge (CIB) and that his WD-AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation) be corrected to show the award.

3.  The applicant states in effect that during the Battle of the Bulge his unit was 
on a reconnaissance mission when they were overrun by German troops, he was captured and became a prisoner.  He further states that prior to his capture he fought as an infantryman and feels that he is entitled to the CIB award.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that he was inducted into the Army on 20 January 1941.  He completed the required training and was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 060 (Cook).

5.  Between 17 November 1944 and 22 June 1945, the applicant served in the European Theater of Operations (ETO).

6.  The evidence of record shows that the applicant was held as a prisoner of war by the German government from 19 December 1944 to 23 April 1945.  On 
18 February 1946, the applicant was honorably discharged.

7.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes Army policy and criteria concerning individual military awards.  In pertinent part, it states that the CIB was established during World War II to provide special recognition of the unique role of the Army Infantryman, the only soldier whose daily mission is to close with and destroy the enemy and to seize and hold terrain.  The badge was intended as an inducement for individuals to join the infantry while serving as a moral booster for infantrymen.  In developing the CIB, the War Department did not dismiss or ignore the contributions of other branches.  Their vital contributions to the overall war effort were noted, but it was decided that other awards and decorations are sufficient to recognize their contributions.  From the beginning, Army leadership have taken care to retain the badge for the unique purpose for which it was established.  There are basically three requirements for award of the CIB.  The soldier must be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties, must be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and must actively participate in such ground combat.

8.  Army Regulation 600-8-22, also indicates, in pertinent part, that the Prisoner of War Medal (POW Medal) is authorized for any person who, while serving in any capacity with the U. S. Armed Forces, was taken prisoner and held captive after 5 April 1917.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  Although the applicant was serving in and infantry unit (106th Reconnaissance Troop, 106th Infantry Division) and during such time his unit engaged in ground combat, he did not have a MOS as an infantryman, therefore disqualifying him for the CIB award.  Many individuals are probably not aware of the strict requirements for award of the CIB.

2.  The evidence of record clearly shows that the applicant was a captive of the German Government.   However, the applicant’s WD-AGO Form 53-55 does not show that he was awarded the POW Medal.

3.  Therefore, in view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by adding the POW Medal award to the applicant’s WD-AGO Form 
53-55.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

__rgh___  __bje___  __jps___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

			Robert G. Hinkle
		______________________
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999033318	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20000412	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0111	
2.	107.0029	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.