PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:	

	BOARD DATE:  10 November 1999
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR1999015310

	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.  

	Mr. Loren G. Harrell		Director	
	Mr. Vic Whitney		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Irene N. Wheelwright		Chairperson	
	Mr. Curtis L. Greenway		Member	
	Ms. Margaret V. Thompson		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 reconsideration of the prior denial by this Board of an award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

3.  The applicant states that he was an infantryman assigned to an infantry platoon in combat in Vietnam; was wounded and awarded the Purple Heart, and met all the requirements for the CIB.  He submits copies of military documents and a letter from a retired NCO who identifies himself as a section sergeant in the applicant’s unit at the time.

4.  The applicant’s military records show that his case was previously considered and denied by this Board on 19 June 1996.  The denial was primarily based on the lack of evidence that he was assigned to an infantry unit while in Vietnam.

5.  The applicant’s DA Form 20 (qualification record) shows that he was assigned as an infantryman to an air cavalry troop of an air cavalry squadron in Vietnam from 1 November 1968 to 13 March 1969.  A general order published on 17 January 1969 awarded him the Purple Heart for wounds received in action on 15 January 1969

6.  The Center of Military History shows the organization that the applicant was assigned to was organized with a rifle platoon, authorized infantryman, with the mission to perform infantry missions when deployed from the troop aircraft.

7.  The Awards Branch, Total Army Personnel Command, has advised in similar cases that infantryman assigned to these type units were authorized award of the CIB when all other prerequisites were met.

8.  The letter from the retired NCO states that the applicant was assigned to his unit performing infantry duties when enemy soldiers wounded them in an ambush.

9.  Army Regulation 600-8-22 prescribes Army policy and procedures concerning awards.  Paragraph 8-6 provides for award of the CIB.  That paragraph states that 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.  Specific requirements state, in effect, that an Army enlisted soldier must have an infantry or special forces specialty, satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger or special forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  There is now sufficient evidence that the applicant was assigned to a type unit that meets the eligibility requirement for an award of the CIB.

2.  Considering all the facts in this case, notwithstanding the earlier denial by this Board, it would now be appropriate to authorize an award of the CIB to the applicant for the period 1 November 1968 to 13 march 1969.

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

RECOMMENDATION:

That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case be corrected by showing that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for his duties in Vietnam during the period 1 November 1968 to 13 March 1969.

BOARD VOTE:  

__IW___  __CG___  __MT___  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Irene N. Wheelwright__
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR1999015310	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	19991110	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	 GRANT 	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	107.0111	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.