IN THE CASE OF:  

		BOARD DATE:  11 August 2020

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190015202


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  award of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record)
*	Citation – Air Medal 
*	Award Certificate – Purple Heart dated 7 August 1968
*	General Orders# 2023 dated 27 March 1969
*	DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or 
Discharge) dated 17 October 1969

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United 
States Code, section 1552(b); however, the ABCMR conducted a substantive review of 
this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to 
timely file.

2.  The applicant states that he was reviewing his records from the Veterans 
Administration (VA) and noticed that issuance of the CIB was not reflected.  He was 
wondering if this was an oversight or just left off of his records.  He adds that if it was 
not awarded, he has included other awards and citations received while serving in 
combat.  He would also like a copy of all of his issued awards and citations previously 
awarded.  

3.  A review of the applicant’s available service records reflects the following:

   a.	On 20 October 1967 he was inducted into the Regular Army for 2 years as an 
11B (Light Weapons Infantryman).
   
   b.	From 25 March 1968 through 24 March 1969 he served in Vietnam with Charlie 
Company, 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry, 11th Infantry Brigade.  During this period his 
records reflect award of the: 

*	Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action on 27 June 1968
*	Bronze Star Medal with “V” device for heroism in connection with ground 
operations against a hostile force
*	Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in sustained 
aerial flight, in support of ground forces

   c.	On 17 October 1969 (Special Order# 290) he was honorably discharged from 
active duty and transferred into the United States Army Reserve (USAR). 
   
   d.	On 1 October 1973 (Letter Order# 09-1257624) he was honorably discharged 
from the USAR.  

4.  The applicant provides the following: 

   a.	DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) reflective of his assignments, 
education, awards and other personnel related data.  This document is void of the 
applicant being awarded the CIB; however, the document does reflect the 11B military 
occupational specialty, assignment to an infantry unit and awards related to combat 
action while serving in Vietnam.
   
   b.	Citation – Air Medal reflective of him being recognized for meritorious 
achievement while participating in sustained aerial flight, in support of ground forces in 
Vietnam during the period of 18 July through 8 December 1968.
   
   c.	Award Certificate – Purple Heart reflective of him being awarded this medal in 
relation to wounds received in action on 27 June 1968 while serving in Vietnam.
   
   d.	General Orders# 2023 reflective of him being awarded the Bronze Star medal 
with “V” device for heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile force 
in Vietnam on 25 January 1969.

   e.	DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or 
Discharge) reflective of his service on active duty from 20 October 1967 through           
17 October 1969.  In addition to the previously mentioned awards, he received the 
National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the 
Vietnam Campaign Medal with “60” device, 2 Overseas Service Bars and the               
M-16/M-60) Marksmanship Badges.  He was honorably discharged from active duty and 
transferred into the USAR at the rank of Sergeant (SGT) / E-5.  

5.  See applicable regulatory guidance below under REFERENCES.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that relief 
was warranted.  The Board found that the applicant met the requirements for the CIB 
per regulation.  The applicant was an infantry Soldier, serving in an infantry unit and 
was engaged in hostile actions against the enemy in Vietnam.


BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION


BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is 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 awarding and adding the 
CIB.


		  
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.

ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES:

1. Reference the enclosed request for correction of military records, correct the 
applicant's (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the 
period ending 17 October 1969 by adding the following awards:

*	Air Medal 
*	Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device

2.  The following documents are sufficient to justify correction of the DD Form 214 
without action by the Board.

*	DD Form 214 
*	DA Form 20 (Personnel Qualification Record)
*	Army General Order (DAGO) Number 2, 1971

3.  Correct the applicant’s DD Form 214 to add the awards shown in paragraph 1 
above.  Provide the applicant with a copy of the corrections and the medals and 
citations, as applicable.  Please record the corrections in the applicant’s official military 
personnel record. 




REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, United States 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 ABCMR to excuse an applicant's 
failure to timely file within the 3 year statute of limitations if the Army Board for 
Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) determines it would be in the interest of justice 
to do so.

2.  Army Regulation 672-5-1 (Military Awards), in effect at the time, prescribed Army 
policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military 
awards.  Eligibility requirements for award of the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) stated an 
individual must be an infantry officer in the grade of colonel or below, or an enlisted man 
or a warrant officer with infantry MOS, who subsequent to 6 December 1941 has 
satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry unit 
of brigade, regimental or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active 
ground combat.  Battle participating credit alone is not sufficient; the unit must have 
been in active ground combat with the enemy during the period.  Awards may be made 
to assigned members of ranger infantry companies assigned or attached to tactical 
infantry organizations.  They may also be made to members of the U.S. Army who are 
colonels or below and are assigned under appropriate orders for service in Republic of 
Vietnam, Laos, and Dominican Republic.


3.  U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) provided for award 
of the Combat Infantryman Badge during the Vietnam era.  Appendix V stated the 
Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and 
served in military occupational specialty 11B (Infantryman), 11C (Indirect Fire 
Infantryman), 11D (Armor Reconnaissance Specialist), 11F (Infantry Operations and 
Intelligence Specialist), 11G (Infantry Senior Sergeant), or 11H (Infantry Direct Fire 
Crewman).

4.  Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation 
Credit Roster) assist commanders and personnel officers in determining or establishing 
the eligibility of individual members for campaign participation credit, assault landing 
credit, and unit citation badges awarded during the Vietnam Conflict, the Grenada 
Operation, and the period of service subsequent to the Vietnam Conflict up to the 
present time.  Soldiers assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Infantry were awarded the 
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Device for service in Vietnam during the 
period of 2 November 1968 through 28 February 1969 as authorized by the Department 
of the Army General Order (DAGO) Number 2, 1971. 

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20190015202


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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