IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 21 March 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220009057 APPLICANT REQUESTS: reconsideration of his previous request for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * self-authored statement, 25 May 2022 FACTS: 1. Incorporated herein by reference are military records which were summarized in the previous consideration of the applicant's case by the ABCMR in Docket Number AR20160006646 on 12 August 2021. 2. The applicant provides new evidence in the form of a self-authored statement which was not previously considered by the Board. 3. The applicant states, he would like to request a reconsideration of the ABCMR's decision not to award him the Combat Infantryman Badge for the following reasons. On or about 30 March, on the second day of his company's combat assault, enemy forces confronted them. During this contact, small arms fire pinned him down, and he returned fire with his M60 machine gun until it jammed. He threw three hand grenades until the firing stopped. After the contact, one of the members of his company was medevacked via helicopter, and his company moved locations. He disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled his weapon in the rain and darkness to ensure it would not jam again. He firmly believes he is qualified for the award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and hopes this additional information will aid in verifying his claim. 4. The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 26 August 1969. 5. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) dated 31 March 1971 contains the following information: a. Item 31 (Foreign Service) shows service in the Republic of Vietnam from 26 February 1970 to 3 April 1971. b. Item 38 (Record of Assignments) shows, during his service in USARPAC – Republic of Vietnam, he was assigned to: * C Troop 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry from 16 March 1970 to 31 May 1970 * B Battery, 7th Battalion, 29th Artillery from 1 June 1970 to 30 March 1971 c. Item 38 also shows upon arrival at his first assignment in the Republic of Vietnam he held Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 11B (Light Weapons Infantryman) and his principal duty was “Driver.” His MOS changed to 71T (Equipment Parts Clerk) on 1 June 1970. 6. His DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) states he was honorably released from active duty on 4 April 1971. His DD Form 214 does not list the Combat Infantryman Badge as an authorized award. It shows he was awarded or authorized: * National Defense Service Medal * Vietnam Service Medal * Army Good Conduct Medal * Vietnam Campaign Medal 7. There is no documentation in the applicant's record to show he was recommended for or awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge. 8. The ABCMR considered the applicant's request for correction of his DD form 214 to show award of the Combat Infantryman Badge on 12 August 2021. After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board determined relief is not warranted. The Board found no evidence corroborating the applicant’s statement regarding his participation in active ground combat while assigned to a cavalry unit as an infantryman.. In the absence of evidence confirming his participation in ground active combat, the Board determine dthere is insufficient evidence to support granting him relief. The Boar, however, agreed with administrative corrections to add selected service awards. 9. On 29 March 2022, as a result of the Board’s decision, the applicant was issued a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty) adding the: Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with one Silver Service Star, and Marksman Marksmanship Qualification Badge with Rifle Bar (M-14). 10. Regulatory guidance states 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. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that relief was not warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The applicant served in Vietnam from 26 February 1970 to 3 April 1971. He held an infantry MOS, and he was initially assigned to 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry and then to 7th Battalion, 29th Artillery. However, there is no evidence confirming he was assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat, and he actively participated in such ground combat. 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 to amend the decision of the ABCMR set forth in Docket Number AR20160006646 on 12 August 2021. 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: Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) prescribes Army policy, criteria, and administrative instructions concerning individual and unit military awards. Paragraph 8-6 (Combat Infantryman Badge) provides, in part, a Soldier must meet the following three requirements to be eligible for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge: be an Army infantry officer in the grade of Colonel/O–6 or below, or an Army enlisted Soldier or warrant officer with an infantry MOS satisfactorily performing infantry duties; be assigned to an infantry unit of either a brigade, regimental, or smaller size during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat; and must actively participate in such ground combat; campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the Combat Infantryman Badge. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220009057 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1