IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 24 May 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20100027805 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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). 2. He states he was awarded the CIB in 1965 while he was stationed at An Khe, Vietnam. He has the badge that was given to him, but it was not entered on his DD Form 214. 3. He provides a copy of his DD Form 214. 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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 13 December 1963. He was trained in and awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 111.10 (Light Weapons Infantryman), which later became MOS 11B. He was honorably released from active duty on 13 December 1965 after completing 2 years and 1 day of total active service. 3. Item 31 (Foreign Service) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he was credited with service in Vietnam from 16 August to 5 December 1965. Item 38 (Record of Assignments) shows he was assigned for duty in Vietnam with Troop A, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). 4. His record is void documentation showing he was awarded the CIB. 5. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer Assisted Retrieval System, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 maintained by the Awards and Decorations Branch of the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, failed to reveal orders awarding the CIB to him. 6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the CIB is awarded to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry military occupational specialty (MOS). They must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size. U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Awards and Decorations) provided for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge to infantry personnel who were members of infantry platoons and squads in armored cavalry squadrons and regiments. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. As an infantryman assigned to a cavalry unit, the applicant would have been eligible for award of the CIB, and he makes the assertion that he was awarded the badge. Unfortunately, without orders showing he received the award or documentary evidence showing he served in active ground combat while performing infantry duties, there is insufficient basis for correcting his record to show he was awarded the CIB. 2. This action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to our Nation. He and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms. 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) AR20100027805 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20100027805 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1