IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 02 February 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110015179 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 the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) be added to his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). 2. The applicant states: * The CIB should have been awarded * He met all the requirements * Everyone he was assigned with got the CIB * He thinks he was overlooked 3. The applicant provides: * Criteria for the CIB * 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 enlisted in the Regular Army on 19 November 1968 for a period of 2 years. He was awarded military occupational specialty 11B (light weapons infantryman). He served with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry of the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam from 19 May 1969 to 6 April 1970. On 20 November 1970, he was released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Annual Training) to complete his remaining service obligation. 3. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) of his DD Form 214 shows the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars * Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device (1960) * Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster * Air Medal * Bronze Star Medal 4. Special orders, dated 7 June 1969, show he received the CIB. 5. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam. This pamphlet shows the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry, was cited for award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation by Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 53, dated 1970. 6. DAGO Number 8, dated 1974, announced award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation to Headquarters, U.S. Military Assistance Command, and its subordinate units during the period 8 February 1962 to 28 March 1973 and to Headquarters, U.S. Army Vietnam, and its subordinate units during the period 20 July 1965 to 28 March 1973. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Orders show he received the CIB. His DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this badge. 2. His unit was cited for award of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation while he was assigned to the unit. His DD Form 214 should be corrected to show this unit award. 3. The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation was awarded to all units that served in Vietnam. The applicant served in Vietnam during a qualifying period; therefore, he is entitled to correction of his DD Form 214 to show this unit award. BOARD VOTE: ____X____ ___X_____ ___X_____ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined that the evidence presented was 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 adding the CIB, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class Unit Citation, and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation to item 24 of his DD Form 214. _______ _ _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) AR20110015179 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110015179 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1