ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 22 August 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220001836 APPLICANT REQUESTS: Reconsideration of his earlier request for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. A personal appearance before the Board via telephone or video. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Personal Letter * DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge), ending on 1 December 1967 * Special Orders Number 109, dated 19 April 1966 * Map FACTS: 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 AR20200008480 on 28 October 2020. 2. The applicant states in effect, he should be awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge for his service in the Republic of Vietnam. He fully believes he met the requirements for the award, and it was an administrative error that took place because he was not awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge upon departing Vietnam. 3. Review of the applicant's service record shows: a. On 2 December 1965, the applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States. b. DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows: (1) Item 22 (Military Occupational Specialties (MOS)) shows the applicant completed training and he was awarded Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman). (2) Item 31 (Foreign Service) shows he served in Vietnam from on or about 19 May 1966 to on or about 11 May 1967 with the U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam. (3) Item 41 (Awards and Decorations) reflects: * Overseas Bar * National Defense Service Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14) * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle (Automatic) * Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machine Gun Bar (M-60) c. He was honorably released from active duty on 1 December 1967. His DD Form 214 reflects net service this period of 2 years. Item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) shows he was awarded or authorized: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * First Class Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Machine Gun Bar (M- 60) * Overseas Bar 4. On 28 October 2020, in ABCMR Docket Number AR20200008480, the Board denied the applicant's request for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge stating after reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined relief was not warranted. Based upon the lack of evidence showing the applicant was actively engaged in combat with an armed enemy, the Board concluded there was insufficient evidence of an error or injustice which would warrant adding a Combat Infantryman Badge to the applicant's record. 5. The applicant provides: a. Personal letter detailing his request for reconsideration for the Combat Infantryman Badge in accordance with Army Regulation (AR) 600-8-22 (Military Awards) requirements for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. He states in pertinent part, on many occasions' gunfire was exchanged. He assisted the American commanding officer working with the Vietnamese commanders. He carried the radio that was used for calling in airstrikes when they came under heavy fire and the smoke grenades used to mark positions to aid combat pilots. There is no doubt this was active ground combat. Others in his squad were awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. One he remembers came to be a good friend. b. Special Orders Number 109 dated 19 April 1966, issued by Headquarters United States Army Training Center, Infantry and Fort Ord, CA, reflecting assignment to the U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam. c. Map of Quan Phan Ly Cham province in Vietnam where he was located while serving in Vietnam. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined relief was not warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. Based upon the lack of collaborative documentation/evidence related to the applicant’s statement describing his engagement with enemy forces, the Board concluded there was insufficient evidence of an error or injustice which would warrant the awarding and adding the CIB to the applicant’s DD Form 214. 2. The applicant's request for a personal appearance was carefully considered. In this case, the evidence of record was sufficient to render a fair and equitable decision. As a result, a personal appearance before the Board is not necessary to serve the interest of equity and justice in this case. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : 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 the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned. 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. AR 600-8-22 (Military Awards) provides for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. 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. Specific requirements state an Army enlisted Soldier must have an infantry or special forces specialty and must have satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger, or special forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat. 2. U.S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Awards and Decorations) governed award of the Combat Infantryman Badge to Army forces operating in South Vietnam. This regulation stated the criteria for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge identified the man who trained, lived, and fought as an infantryman and that the Combat Infantryman Badge was the unique award established to recognize the infantryman and only the infantryman for his service. Further, "the Combat Infantryman Badge is not an award for being shot at or for undergoing the hazards of day to day combat." This regulation also stated the Combat Infantryman Badge was authorized for award to infantry officers, to enlisted personnel, and to warrant officers who had an infantry specialty/military occupational specialty 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. Appendix V of USARV Regulation 672-1 states that during the Vietnam era the Combat Infantryman Badge was awarded only to enlisted individuals who held and served in MOS 11B, 11C, 11D, 11F, 11G, or 11H. 3. AR 15-185 (Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR)) prescribes the policies and procedures for correction of military records by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the ABCMR. The ABCMR may, in its discretion, hold a hearing or request additional evidence or opinions. Additionally, it states in paragraph 2-11 that applicants do not have a right to a hearing before the ABCMR. The Director or the ABCMR may grant a formal hearing whenever justice requires. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220001836 1 1