IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 15 May 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110022568 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 award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). 2. The applicant states his DD Form 214 does not show his award of the CIB. He believes the Board should grant his request because he served in Vietnam in the military occupational specialty (MOS) 11B (Infantryman) and as a combat Soldier. 3. The applicant provides 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 8 April 1968. He completed training and he was awarded MOS 11B. 3. He served in the Republic of Vietnam from 4 September 1968 to 30 August 1969, and was assigned to Company D, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, as a rifleman. 4. His records do not contain orders awarding him the CIB. 5. He was honorably released from active duty on 7 April 1970. He completed 2 years of total active service, 11 months and 27 days of which was credited as foreign service. His DD Form 214 does not show award of the CIB. 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. Additionally, Appendix V of U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Awards and Decorations) states that during the Vietnam era the CIB was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11D, 11F, 11G, or 11H. 7. U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation Number 672-1 specifically governed award of the CIB to Army forces operating in South Vietnam. This regulation specifically stated that criteria for award of the CIB identified the man who trained, lived, and fought as an infantryman and the CIB is the unique award established to recognize the infantryman and only the infantryman for his service. Further, "the CIB is not an award for being shot at or for undergoing the hazards of day to day combat." This regulation also stated the CIB was authorized for award to infantry officers and to enlisted and warrant officer persons who have an infantry MOS and required that they must have served in active ground combat while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of brigade, regimental or smaller size. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's infantry MOS and/or his service in Vietnam are not in question. However, there is no evidence in the available records and he did not submit substantiating evidence that shows he was awarded the CIB or that he participated in active ground combat while assigned to an infantry unit. 2. In the absence of official orders or other documentary evidence such as operation reports, after action reports, valor awards, witness statements, or any other evidence that conclusively shows he actively participated in ground combat while assigned to an infantry unit, there is insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant's requested relief. 3. The applicant and all others concerned should know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to our Nation. The applicant 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) AR20110022568 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110022568 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1