IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 29 July 2010 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100007147 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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. 2. The applicant states he served as an infantryman and he held military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (light weapons infantryman) in an infantry unit where he participated in combat operations in Vietnam. 3. The applicant provides a letter, dated 27 October 2009, from the Military Awards Branch, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Alexandria, Virginia, in support of his application. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. 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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 22 February 1971 for a period of 2 years. He was awarded MOS 11B. He served in MOS 11B while assigned to Company C, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, 196th Infantry Brigade, and Troop D, 17th Cavalry, during his assignment in Vietnam. On 22 November 1972, the applicant was released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training) to complete his remaining service obligation. 3. The applicant's DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) does not show the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award. 4. There are no orders for the Combat Infantryman Badge in the available records. 5. Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of the applicant's DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show entitlement to the Combat Infantryman Badge. 6. In support of his claim, the applicant provided a letter, dated 27 October 2009, from the Military Awards Branch, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, which states, in pertinent part, based on the documentation he provided with his request for the Combat Infantryman Badge that office verified he was an infantryman assigned to an infantry unit. However, to determine eligibility for the Combat Infantryman Badge, documentation must be provided that conclusively identifies him performing infantry duties with the unit while engaging the enemy. Upon receipt of appropriate documentation a determination would be made on his request. 7. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS. They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size. Additionally, appendix V of U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provides that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11D, 11F, 11G, or 11H. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The evidence of record shows the applicant held an infantry MOS and served in an infantry MOS while assigned to an infantry company in Vietnam; however, there are no orders for the Combat Infantryman Badge available. In addition, there is no evidence of record and the applicant did not provide any evidence which shows he served in active ground combat while an assigned member of an infantry unit of brigade or smaller size in Vietnam. Regrettably, there is insufficient evidence on which to base award of the Combat Infantryman Badge in this case. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___X____ ____X___ ____X__ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined that 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. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100007147 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100007147 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1