IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 June 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160008432 BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 x :x :x GRANT FULL RELIEF : : : GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 June 2018 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20160008432 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 reconsideration of his earlier request to correct his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to add the Combat Infantryman Badge. 2. The applicant states: a. The review of his petition to the Board in Docket Number AR20150000804 on 25 August 2015 clearly notes a review of at least one of his DA Forms 66 (Officer Qualification Record). While it clearly notes his military occupational specialty (MOS) was 1542 (Infantry Unit Commander) and indicates he served as a counterinsurgency platoon leader in a rifle company in a light infantry brigade, the Board made a distinct point that they were unable to find (apparently) the word combat. b. Following the letter from the Board, he contacted the National Personnel Records Center and received copies of his records. He concurs that the DA Form 66 does not use the word "combat". It instead it uses “cinsgcy” (counterinsurgency). However, his records did contain the Officer Evaluation Reports (OERs) for the period he served in Vietnam, and a letter of commendation which notes "in combat," and "in combat operations" repeatedly. He has provided herewith copies of those OERs and the letter of commendation and requests they be considered. He believes they demonstrate conclusively that he did, in fact, serve in "combat" and the Combat Infantryman Badge should accordingly have been awarded and his records corrected. 3. The applicant provides: * Docket Number AR20150000804, dated 25 August 2015 * Letter of Commendation, dated 22 May 1970 * DA Forms 67-6 (U.S. Army Officer Efficiency Report (OER)), with through dates of 17 November 1969, 20 December 1969, 17 March 1970, and 7 September 1970 CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) in Docket Number AR20150000804 on 25 August 2015. 2. The applicant provides a letter of commendation and his U.S. Army OERs. This is new evidence that warrants consideration by the Board. 3. Having had prior enlisted service, the applicant was appointed as a Reserve commissioned officer of the Army, with concurrent call to active duty, on 25 January 1969. He held MOS 1542. 4. His record contains the following documents: a. DA Form 66 showing in: * Item 17 (Foreign Service) – U.S. Army Pacific, Republic of Vietnam from 13 September 1969 to 13 September 1970 * Item 18 (Record of Assignments) – he served with 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment, in the following positions: * platoon leader (counterinsurgency) from on or about 12 October 1969 to on or about 15 October 1969 * liaison officer (LNO) (counterinsurgency) from on or about 18 November 1969 to on or about 21 November 1969 * platoon leader (counterinsurgency) from on or about 21 November 1969 to on or about 22 May 1970 * battalion S-2 (counterinsurgency) from on or about 10 June 1970 to on or about 8 September 1970 in MOS 9301 (Tactical Intelligence Staff Officer) * Item 21 (Awards and Decorations): * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device * Bronze Star Medal (1st Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC)) * Air Medal * 2 overseas service bars * Army Commendation Medal * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) b. DA Forms 67-6 showing the following: (1) For the rating period 12 August 1969 through 17 November 1969 – * principal duty was "rifle platoon leader in a combat situation in a counterinsurgency environment" * the rater stated "he performed exceptionally well … in a combat situation in a counterinsurgency environment" * the endorser stated "he performed his duties as a platoon leader in a rifle company, under combat conditions, in an excellent manner" (2) For the rating period 18 November 1969 through 20 December 1969 – * principal duty was "infantry battalion LNO in a combat situation in a counterinsurgency environment" * the rater stated "as LNO for the battalion in a counterinsurgency combat environment he demonstrated outstanding initiative and tact in dealing with all situations involving higher headquarters" * the endorser stated "his talents were not being exploited to the fullest in a staff position” and he was being transferred to a combat leadership position (3) For the rating period 21 December 1969 through 17 March 1970 – * principal duty was “executive officer/platoon leader of a rifle company under combat counterinsurgency conditions” * the rater stated he performed his duties well as a rifle platoon leader and company executive officer under combat conditions in a counterinsurgency environment in an outstanding manner * the endorser stated he had been an exceptional platoon leader and company executive officer under combat counterinsurgency conditions c. General Orders (GO) Number 8054, issued by Headquarters, Americal Division, on 5 July 1970, awarded the applicant the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against a hostile force. d. GO Number 9349, issued by Headquarters, Americal Division, on 23 July 1970, awarded the applicant the Bronze Star Medal (1st OLC) for meritorious service in connection with military operations against a hostile force. e. GO Number 11371, issued by Headquarters, Americal Division, on 27 August 1970, awarded the applicant the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious achievement in connection with military operations against a hostile force. 5. His record is void of orders awarding him the Combat Infantryman Badge. 6. He was honorably released from active duty on 24 January 1971 and transferred to the U.S. Army Control Group (Reinforcement). The DD Form 214 issued at that time shows he was awarded or authorized: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Bronze Star Medal (1st OLC) * Air Medal * Army Commendation Medal 7. On 1 January 2015, the applicant petitioned the ABCMR to be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. On 25 August 2015 the Board determined there was an insufficient evidentiary basis to support adding the Combat Infantryman Badge to his DD Form 214. 8. The applicant provides: a. Letter of commendation, dated 22 May 1970, authored by his company commander, that states in the field he proved himself a dynamic leader and shrewd tactician. When in the company commander’s absence he served as acting company commander during one major contact, though he was receiving intensive mortar and automatic weapons fire, he was able to process fire missions and organize and lead the company for the counter-attack. As a result of his cool-headedness and tactical proficiency he did not lose a single man during the ensuing action. b. OER, dated 7 September 1970, showing his principal duty as S-2 of an infantry battalion in support of an infantry division engaged in active combat in Vietnam. The rater stated his performance of duty in a combat counterinsurgency environment met with the highest of professional standards. REFERENCES: 1. Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states a. For award of the Combat Infantryman Badge a Soldier must meet the following three requirements: (1) be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties; (2) be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat; and (3) actively participate in such ground combat. Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. b. The specific eligibility criteria for the Combat Infantryman Badge require that: (1) A Soldier must be an Army infantry or Special Forces (SF) officer in the grade of O-6 or below, or an Army enlisted Soldier or warrant officer with an infantry or SF MOS who, subsequent to 6 December 1941, has satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger, or SF unit of either a brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat. (2) A recipient must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry or SF primary duty, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy. The unit in question must be a brigade, regiment, or smaller size. For example, personnel possessing an infantry MOS in a rifle squad of a cavalry platoon in a cavalry troop would be eligible for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. Battle or campaign participation credit alone is not sufficient; the unit must have been in active ground combat with the enemy during the period. c. The Vietnam Service Medal is awarded for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. A bronze service star is awarded for wear on the Vietnam Service Medal for participation in each campaign. During his service in Vietnam, campaign participation credit was awarded for the following four campaigns. * Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969 (9 June – 31 October 1969) * Vietnam Winter-Spring (1 November 1969 – 30 April 1970) * DA Sanctuary Counteroffensive (1 May – 30 June 1970) * Vietnam Counteroffensive, Phase VII (1 July 1970 – 30 June 1971) 2. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) shows all units in Vietnam were awarded the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation as confirmed by Department of the Army General Order Number 8, dated 1974. DISCUSSION: 1. For award of the Combat Infantryman Badge a Soldier must meet the following three requirements: (1) be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties; (2) be assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat; and (3) actively participate in such ground combat. a. The evidence of record shows during the applicant's service in Vietnam he served as an infantry platoon leader, battalion LNO, and S-2, with 1st Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment. His record contains three OERs during his service in Vietnam that show he performed his duties under combat conditions in a counterinsurgency environment while in Vietnam. b. Additionally, his record contains GOs awarding him the Bronze Star Medal for achievement and the Army Commendation Medal for achievement. Achievement awards are generally awarded for specific acts in connection with military operations against a hostile force. c. He also provides a letter of commendation authored by his company commander in Vietnam that describes his performance as the acting company commander during a major contact. His company commander noted that, though the applicant was receiving intensive mortar and automatic weapons fire, he was able to process fire missions and organize and lead the company for the counter- attack. 2. GO awarded his unit of assignment in Vietnam the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. This unit award is not listed on his DD Form 214. 3. He served in Vietnam during four campaigns. He is authorized four bronze service stars with his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal. These bronze service stars are not listed on his DD Form 214. 4. He was awarded or authorized the following awards or marksmanship badges. They appear on his DA Form 66 but not his DD Form 214: * Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant amendment of the ABCMR's decision in Docket Number AR20150000804 on 25 August 2015. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: * awarding the applicant the Combat Infantryman Badge * amending his DD Form 214 for the period ending 24 January 1971 to add: * Combat Infantryman Badge * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * 4 bronze service stars to his already-awarded Vietnam Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-16) * Expert Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) 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. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160008432 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20160008432 7 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2