IN THE CASE OF: 

		BOARD DATE:  30 June 2022

		DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210014231


APPLICANT REQUESTS: Expert Infantryman Badge (EIB) be added to his DD Form 
214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge)

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD:

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	Newspaper article
*	DD Form 214

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 Army Board for Correction of Military 
Records (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 the attached article shows that he did receive the EIB while with 
the 1st Brigade at Fort Ord, CA.

3. His military records are not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed 
approximately 18 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records 
Center in 1973. It is believed that the Former Service Member’s records were lost or 
destroyed in that fire. However, this case is being considered using reconstructed 
records which primarily consist of his DD Form 214 which shows:

	a. He enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard (ILARNG) around March 1958. He 
was ordered to active duty for training on 25 October 1958. He held specialty number 
112.00 (Heavy Weapons Infantryman).

	b. He was honorably released from active duty and transferred to ILARNG on 
24 April 1959. His DD Form 214 shows he completed 6 months of net service this 
period. It also shows he was awarded or authorized: Sharpshooter Marksmanship 
Qualification Badge (Rifle M-1).

	c.  There are no certificates, diploma, or orders in the available record, or provided 
by the applicant, confirming he was awarded the EIB. 

4. The applicant provided an undated newspaper article showing the EIB, only the 15th 
in the history of the 1st Brigade at Fort Ord, CA, was presented to the applicant. To 
qualify for the badge, he fired better than sharpshooter with the M-1 rifle, marched 12 
miles in three hours with a combat pack, and had a character rating of excellent. The 
brigade commander pinned the award.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within 
the military record, the Board found that relief was warranted. The applicant’s 
contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered.  
The Board noted that there are no certificates, diploma, or orders in the available 
record, or provided by the applicant, confirming he was awarded the EIB. The Board 
also noted that he provided an undated newspaper article showing the EIB was 
presented to the applicant. Although it is unclear when the EIB was presented, the 
Board determined to accept this newspaper article as sufficient evidence to add the EIB 
to his DD Form 214. 


BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:X	:X	:X	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 adding the Expert 
Infantryman Badge to his DD Form 214. 

		  
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.


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 ABCMR determines it 
would be in the interest of justice to do so.

2. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states award of the Expert Infantryman 
Badge requires that an individual must have satisfactorily completed the prescribed 
proficiency tests while assigned or attached to an infantry unit of at least battalion size. 
To be eligible for testing and award of the Expert Infantryman Badge, a Soldier must be 
in an active status and must have an infantry or special forces specialty.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//
ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20210014231


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ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


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