IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 5 November 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150004533 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 in Vietnam with B Battery, 5th Battalion, 42nd Artillery Regiment, II Field Force, at three fire support bases. He and others followed the infantry and supported them. He also states, “The infantry was the 1st Cav” (Division). Together, they got the job done. 3. The applicant does not provide any additional evidence. 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's records show he enlisted in the Regular Army on 31 December 1969. He completed basic combat and advanced individual training and he was awarded military occupational specialty (MOS) 13A (Field Artillery Basic). 3. Following completion of MOS training and a period of lost time, he served in Vietnam from 12 April 1971 to 21 February 1972. He was assigned to: * Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Artillery, from 17 April to 3 May 1971, in MOS 13A * A Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12th Artillery, from 4 May to 18 August 1971, in MOS 13A * B Battery, 5th Battalion, 42nd Artillery, from 19 August 1971 to 21 February 1972, in MOS 13A 4. He was honorably released from active duty on 21 February 1972. His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) shows he was awarded or authorized the: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal 5. There are no special orders that show he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) does not show he was trained in or held an infantry MOS, that he was assigned or attached to an infantry unit, or that he was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. 6. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. It 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. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. There are basically three requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. 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. 2. The applicant completed basic combat and advanced individual training and he was awarded MOS 13A. He then served in Vietnam from 12 April 1971 to 21 February 1972. During this period, he served in duty MOS 13A with artillery units. 3. There is insufficient evidence in the available records and he did not submit substantiating evidence that shows he held an infantry MOS, was assigned or attached to an infantry unit and/or was personally present and under hostile fire while serving in his assigned infantry duty in an infantry unit that was actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy. He does not meet the criteria for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. 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) AR20150004533 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150004533 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1