IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 April 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110020410 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 that he be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). 2. The applicant states he believes he is entitled to the CIB because he was an 11C (Indirect Fire Infantryman) and engaged and participated in direct combat with the enemy while serving with the 196th Light Infantry Brigade. He also contends that he used mortars and served as an 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman). 3. The applicant provides a DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). 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. On 8 July 1966, the applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States and he was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 11C upon completion of initial entry training. 3. Item 31 (Foreign Service) of his DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he served in Vietnam from 16 December 1966 to 8 December 1967. Item 38 (Record of Assignments) shows he was assigned to infantry units while in Vietnam and that he served in MOS's 11C and 11B while in Vietnam. The CIB is not included in the list of awards contained in item 41 (Awards and Decorations) of his DA Form 20. 4. His official military personnel file (OMPF) is void of orders or any other document that indicates he was recommended for or awarded the CIB. 5. He was honorably released from active duty on 16 August 1968. His DD Form 214 does not show the CIB. 6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states 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. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's request for award of the CIB has been carefully considered. 2. The evidence shows he was awarded an infantry MOS and served with infantry units while in Vietnam. However, it does not sufficiently show he engaged in active ground combat while assigned to these units. 3. His OMPF is void of orders or any other documents that indicate he was recommended for or awarded the CIB. There is simply insufficient evidence to corroborate his contention that he engaged in active ground combat while in Vietnam. 4. In view of the foregoing, there is no basis to grant the requested relief. 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) AR20110020410 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110020410 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1