Retroactive CIB?

I'm not attempting to beat a dead horse here but this little article shows just how muddy this "retroactive CIB" can become. I happen to side with the first statement--that an award be issued using the requirements and qualifications that were in place at the time it was earned.

If the statement is correct in the second part, than all the present day requirements must be met, and proven, to have the badge awarded retroactively.

http://bataanmissing.com/awards-decorations-combat-infantry-badge/

 

Thomas, once you get your paper trail lined up and in order, it never hurts to get your US Congressman involved in the matter. Usually once one of these guys gets in on the action (after you've researched, prepared and delivered it) the DoD is more than likely to flag it (fast track it) to get it processed asap style. A politician is always ready and willing to jump in front of a parade once someone else sets it up and organizes it for them. Good luck and keep us informed with your progress. And don't forget to make multiple copies of your work as well.

 

I thought you all might like to know, after gathering all my info together, I told my grandfather. Up until now we have been talking about his dad, so really my great grandfather... I hope that doesn't confuse you too much, for simplicity up to this point, I THINK I have just called him my grandfather. ANYWAY, he knew I had been trying to piece everything together, and thought he had given me everything he had. Well after I told him I was going to send a packet off for his CIB and Bronze Star, he went back down to the basement and rummaged through a BUNCH of old paperwork again. He returned with a folder full of newspaper clippings, telegrams from when he was wounded and one he sent his mother on Mother's Day 1945. He also found something VERY important which I think makes this case a slam dunk. I am not sure why this info was not transcribed onto his DD214, but hey, more ammo for the fight! The paper is fragile so I am afraid to put it in my scanner, but I will transcribe it here in full:

HEADQUARTERS​

88th REINFORCEMENT BATTALION​

APO 129​

2 May 1945 ​

SUBJECT: Awards and Decorations.

TO: Whom It May Concern.

This is to certify that S/Sgt Charles T. Sewards, 35270789
is entitled to awards and decorations listed below, based on
entries in Service Record:

Good Conduct Medal- AR 600-68, 4 May 44
Purple Heart w/ OLC- GO 53, HQ 35th Inf Div, 25 Nov 44
EAME Ribbon- WD Cir #62, Feb 44
Combat Infantry Badge- SO #103 Hq 134th Inf, 23 Jul 44
Overseas Bars (2) Entered foreign service 12 May 1944
Bronze Stars (3)
Normandy- Ltr Hq ETOUSA AG 200.6 OpGA, 16 Nov 44
No. France- Ltr Hq ETOUSA AG 200.6 OpGA, 1 Dec 44
Germany- Ltr Hq ETOUSA AG 200.6 OpGA, 24 Dec 44
* * * * * * * * * *

//Signed//
ABDO H. FERRIS, JR.
1st Lt, AUS
Personnel Officer

 

Looks like your job is almost done. Don't slack up now though, the end is in sight.

 

There it is there

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SDuSRKt8Vk

Congratulations on the find, that should clinch it.

 

That's fantastic news, Tom. That looks to be exactly what you need. That also saves you the trouble and expense of getting the GOs of the 134th, since it was awarded via Special Order #103 of the 134th.

 

Hello Gentlemen,

I was just reading through some of the many interesting threads here (great info!) and came across this one. If I read correctly, are CIB recipients sometimes listed on Morning Reports then also on General Orders? I've been curious from what source a soldier's Separation Document pulls the CIB award date/information, and MOS information for that matter, though somewhat unrelated.

Thanks!
James

 

The CIB would be awarded via a General Order or (as in the case above) a Special Order, not via a Morning Report. Having said that, it is possible that a MR may mention the award and cite the GO or SO by which it was issued. However, that is a bit of a long shot as it would be completely dependent on the person writing up the MR to include it.

Remember, the purpose of a Morning Report is to document changes in the disposition of personnel in a particular unit. Awarding a CIB does not constitute a change with respect to the disposition of the personnel. An MOS, on the other hand, is very relevant information on MRs. For example, if someone is promoted, it may or may not involve a change of job assignment. Therefore, the MOS is usually included on the MR entry to indicate whether the soldier's job within the unit has changed or remained the same.

 

As always, great information, thanks for the explanation!

James

 

Odd thing about the awarding of CIB's is in some case they were given out to new people before the fighting began perhaps feeling they were being awarded something in case they were KIA. I read about this in a book about infantrymen. Then there is this story on the History Cannel about these G.I.s from the 63rd Div. returning from a recon mission, and Patton greeting them on the way back and giving them all CIB's for their first time action. I wonder how those orders were written up. The regs were often seen differently by officers, and interpreted, as they saw. In the CBI engineers attached to Merrill's Marauders were given CIBs as they were being used as infantry as well as engineers. I had a uniform from one of those men. I can't remember if a CIB wearer got $10. more a month, I believe they did and should have. All men volunteering as infantry in the Bulge got the CIB regardless of their MOS. The survivors never went back to their original branches either. Getting a retro CIB sounds doable, but how would that be accomplished? Who do you go to, my guess is a congressman or senator. Try a senator. Two ladies in St. Louis got their KIA father a Bronze Star, as he had a CIB. Their proof came from the American Battlefield Monuments Comm. Why not a CIB with proof for it. Get a senator. In this state, Mo. Dem Claire McCaskill has and will help people out.