Retroactivity of the US Army Combat Action Badge

Since 11-10-05

From: vetissues@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Reference Desk
[americanwarlibrary@pacbell.net]
Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2005 7:49 PM
To: vetissues@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vetissues] Retroactivity of the US Army Combat Action Badge

Retroactively of the US Army Combat Action Badge

Currently, active, Reserve, Guard and veterans of all five (wartime) Service Branches [See Footnote #5] who served on or after 11 Sept 2001, AND who operated with or under a U.S. Army unit in a combat situation may apply for the U.S. Army Combat Action Badge, using form DD-149 [See Footnote #1].

Active and former military personnel of any Service Branch who served prior to 11 Sept 2001 BUT AFTER 25 May 1975 [see Footnote #2], and who feels the retroactive date should be amended (moved back) to include a non-Vietnam War combat incident [See Footnote #6] involving their participation with a U.S. Army infantry unit opposing an armed enemy must request support from one or both of their United States Senator(s) [See Footnote #3] in convincing the U.S. Army to amend its current CAB retroactive date of 11 Sept 2001.

The current Issue Regulations and Executive Order [See Footnote #4] signed by George W. Bush provides the criteria for eligibility and authorization of the U.S. Army Combat Action Badge. Potential applicants are strongly advised to FULLY read and comprehend these Regulations as they do not include ALL combat actions. (Please carefully read Section #2, "Specific Eligibility Requirements of the Issue Regulations) [See Footnote #4].

FOOTNOTES:

#1: See URL: http://members.aol.com/forvets/htom.htm

#2: The Combat Action Badge cannot be made retroactive to the Vietnam War (1965-1975) because a special, temporary U.S. Army provision allowed the Combat Infantrymen Badge to be awarded to qualifying non-Infantry combatants. In other words... Because qualifying non-Infantry Vietnam War participants were eligible for the CIB they cannot request retroactivity of the CAB to any action occurring in Vietnam during the war.

#3. See URL: http://www.senate.gov.    Potentially eligible applicants requesting their Senator(s) assistance in mandating the U.S. Army to back-date the Retroactive Date of the CAB to hostile engagements (involving U.S. Army units) to pre- or post-Vietnam War engagements should MAIL -- DO NOT EMAIL -- their request for support to their Senator(s). Repeat -- you must MAIL (US Postal Service) -- DO NOT EMAIL your request for support.

#4. See URL: http://www.amervets.com/replacement/cab.htm#isr

#5. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard

#6. This also applies to non-infantry WW2 and Korean War veterans who feel the CAB retroactivity date should include their wartime combat incident.

-- Otis Willie
Military News and Information Editor (13105320634.com)
The American War Library (amervets.com)
16907 Brighton Avenue
Gardena CA 90247
1-310-532-0634