Combat Infantryman Badge

[gfgrant8443]

In doing research about my father's time in the 106th I read that Col. Cavender put through the paperwork after the war to award all of the men in the 423rd Regiment the Combat Infantryman's Badge regardless of their job specialty because from 12/16/44 to 12/19/44 and in some cases beyond they acted in the role of regular infantry. Does anyone know if this was expanded to include the 422nd and the 424th? My father was in the HQ Co. 3rd Bn. 422nd Infantry and his specialty was Anti-Tank Gun Crewman so the Records Center in St. Louis turned me down when I asked about it.

Thanks

Franklin Grant
Associate Member, 106th Div. Assoc.

[Carl W.]

Hi Franklin,

I have an original document at home, sent to all men of the 422nd Regiment men in 1945 stating the following:

Col said:

Combat Infantryman and medical Badges:

The officers and men who were present with the regiment when the German counter-offensive began on 16th December 1944 were awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, retroactive to 16 December 1944 (including the additional pay).

I remember this document being integrated in one of the early post war editions of the Cub.
The document also contains a speech from Col. Descheneaux adressing the men of his regiment.

Hope this helps.

Carl

[James Garnhart]

I wish I could help you. Is your father still alive. My father was
in the 106th/422/HQ 3Bn also. Just trying to gather any info
on my father's time over their. He passed away in 1973.
thx, Jim

[James Garnhart]

I would like to have a copy of the document sent to all the men
of the 422. My father was in the 106th/422/HQ 3Bn.
thx, Jim

[Carl W.]

I'll see that I can make a scan.
You can also find it here:
www.indianamilitary.org/106ID/SoThinkMenu/106thSTART.htm

Pull down "CUBs">"1946" and "September"

Best regards
Carl

[gfgrant8443]

Jim, My father passed away in 1969, but I have been able to gather a few facts and I have some letters he sent to my mother. How much information do you have? I would happy to share what I know.

Frank

[gfgrant8443]

Sandy, I would be more than happy share any information I have that would be helpful to you. Your e-mail address is hidden. If you send it to me I'll contact you.

Frank

[dww]

I am looking for information regarding the awarding of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).
My understanding is that the CIB was awarded on a General Order.
Does the GO give the date of the engagement on the citation?
How soon after an engagement was an order for the CIB issued? I have read that for some awards, such as the Silver Star, the GO was dated as late as 1946 due to pending revues.
Is anyone aware of GOs for the CIB that were issued after the end of any conflict or engagement and dated into late-1945 and 1946?
Was the CIB ceremonially awarded to individuals or was it handed out en masse as to a whole company and the orders presented or issued to the soldiers at some other time or just filed with their personnel records?
For those that received the CIB, is anyone missing documentation for it in Block 33 - Awards and Citations on the Enlistment Record and Report of Separation – Honorable Discharge (WD AGO Form 53-55) or not have a copy of the GO?
Among my father’s military possession, was the CIB. I am having trouble finding documentation. His military personnel records were destroyed in the fire at the records center in the 1970’s and it does not appear on his discharge papers. There are a couple of errors or inconsistencies on his discharge paper that I found through reconstructing his files and I am trying to find out if the omission of documentation of the CIB is another.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
David
Fairbanks, Alaska

[roger]

I have a situation similar to David's. My father left a CIB in a box with other medals and patches, but his discharge papers do not reflect that he was ever awarded such. He served in AAF in England until early 1945 (March 5, I think) and then as a replacement troop with the 89th Infantry Div (although Division records do not reflect his name on any lists), and then with the 6951 Overhead Prov Bn, Detachment F assigned to the 106th Infantry Div at Camp A-2 (Remagen). I have been successful in recreating and proving much of his military paperwork, but the CIB and details of the period in early 1945 continue to elude me. His papers have been officially corrected except for the CIB. Any suggestions are always welcome!
Thanks,
Roger
Adrian, MI

[sandy]

I dont know if this will help but I have also been looking for the paper work for the CIB badge I was told it was on the back of the separation paper but the court house copy didnt have it on there but when I sent away to the national personnel records there copy had on the bottom WD AGO Form 53-55 november 1,1944 this form supersedes editions of WD AGO Forms 53 and 55 for enlisted persons entitled to an Honorable Discharge. So I dont know if this is all I need or not I will find out in time.

[krollewis]

To whoever may be left to remember…………..
I still miss my father. 106th Infantry 422nd Regiment I & R
!st Lt John M Krol. Killed in action near st Vith between 12-16..12-21 1944.
Who else is left to remember. I often fail at keeping in touch with Fred Pilkington,,,,,my Dad’s sergeant.
I’ve lost track of Pvt Wallace of MS. Mac in WV- bill Riesman- Lex Schoonover
The weather channel is showing a special tonight at 8pm…..I saw it the other night.
How weather changed history-the Battle of the Bulge………
I would swear………as they covered St Vith 12-17-44…….I saw my father, Lt Krol, on a stretcher. It was
Only for a split second. I’ve requested the still photo from the weather channel but I don’t
Know that I’ll hear from them. Can anyone confirm whether or not the soldier on the stretcher-12-17 was My father???
I was born in Ft Jackson 1943 while my Dad was stationed there. I really never knew him. From the
Stories I’ve heard from his men, I’ve missed a good man.

My children and grandchildren missed out on a lot. It’s difficult for me to explain to them about my dad since

All of my memories have to be sufficient as 2nd hand history.

[Scott Panagrosso]

I just found this site. I am very interested in the discussion. My father, who is still alive, was part of the AT Company, 424th Inf Regt. He too came home with a CIB but could not explain how he got it. It appears to be a common issue with many.

[krollewis]

I have found the original directive. It's difficult to copy because both sides of of the
thin onionskin paper are typed on. In September of 1945, Colonel Descheneux-from a
Denver hospital..issued Combat Infantrymen and Combat Medical Badges be issued
retroatively to 12-16-44 for the men who served in the Ardennes. My dad was in the 422nd.

[robersabel]

Feb 22, 2008 16:05:02 GMT -5 @Scott Panagrosso said:

I just found this site. I am very interested in the discussion. My father, who is still alive, was part of the AT Company, 424th Inf Regt. He too came home with a CIB but could not explain how he got it. It appears to be a common issue with many.

I would like to share the Circular that describes the requirement to be eligible for the CIB.

Note: Para 3a. and b.

smg.photobucket.com/albums/v191/Robersabel/CIB%20Circular%20269/?action=view¤t=WilliamsCIBCircular26901.jpg

Allow me to remind you everyone awarded the CIB prior to 1947 is entitled to be awarded the BSM automatically.

If you require additional information, please contact.

I have a request for anyone possessing a copy of the General Orders and/or WD AGO Form (Separation papers) that reveals individual is entitled to the CIB, please send a copy to:

[e-mail]

Regards,
Robert E. Johnson

[robersabel]

I would like to share a copy of General Orders issued by the 7th AD to personnel not in an Infantry unit, but served as an infantryman.

smg.photobucket.com/albums/v191/Robersabel/General%20Order%20CIB/?action=view¤t=GeneralOrders7thAD01.jpg

The WD AGO Form 53-55 issued to a veteran of the 106th ID. MOS is a photographer. Partcipated in the Battle of the Bulge. Records show he served as an infantryman before taken prisoner.

smg.photobucket.com/albums/v191/Robersabel/General%20Order%20CIB/?action=view¤t=Power04WDAGO53-552.jpg

Finally a member of the 192nd Tank Battalion fought in the Battle of the Philippines early 1940's. Note his lapels have triangle Armored pins with the CIB on his chest. Biography revealed individual was always assigned to a tank unit.

smg.photobucket.com/albums/v191/Robersabel/General%20Order%20CIB/?action=view¤t=WilliamsBurnsAlfordW01.jpg

I do not know how the Army is getting away with denying WWII veterans that served as the Circular requires. Where is the support?

Robert

Aug 30, 2007 0:32:05 GMT -5 dww said:

I am looking for information regarding the awarding of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).
My understanding is that the CIB was awarded on a General Order.
Does the GO give the date of the engagement on the citation?
How soon after an engagement was an order for the CIB issued? I have read that for some awards, such as the Silver Star, the GO was dated as late as 1946 due to pending revues.
Is anyone aware of GOs for the CIB that were issued after the end of any conflict or engagement and dated into late-1945 and 1946?
Was the CIB ceremonially awarded to individuals or was it handed out en masse as to a whole company and the orders presented or issued to the soldiers at some other time or just filed with their personnel records?
For those that received the CIB, is anyone missing documentation for it in Block 33 - Awards and Citations on the Enlistment Record and Report of Separation – Honorable Discharge (WD AGO Form 53-55) or not have a copy of the GO?
Among my father’s military possession, was the CIB. I am having trouble finding documentation. His military personnel records were destroyed in the fire at the records center in the 1970’s and it does not appear on his discharge papers. There are a couple of errors or inconsistencies on his discharge paper that I found through reconstructing his files and I am trying to find out if the omission of documentation of the CIB is another.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
David
Fairbanks, Alaska

[robersabel]

David,

You did not identify your father and organization. It is difficult to determine if he met the circumstances in the Circular 269.

Was he a POW? If he was, that answers why it is not identified in Block 33 of the separation paper. A GO would have not been initiated.

Robert

Aug 30, 2007 0:32:05 GMT -5 dww said:

I am looking for information regarding the awarding of the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB).
My understanding is that the CIB was awarded on a General Order.
Does the GO give the date of the engagement on the citation?
How soon after an engagement was an order for the CIB issued? I have read that for some awards, such as the Silver Star, the GO was dated as late as 1946 due to pending revues.
Is anyone aware of GOs for the CIB that were issued after the end of any conflict or engagement and dated into late-1945 and 1946?
Was the CIB ceremonially awarded to individuals or was it handed out en masse as to a whole company and the orders presented or issued to the soldiers at some other time or just filed with their personnel records?
For those that received the CIB, is anyone missing documentation for it in Block 33 - Awards and Citations on the Enlistment Record and Report of Separation – Honorable Discharge (WD AGO Form 53-55) or not have a copy of the GO?
Among my father’s military possession, was the CIB. I am having trouble finding documentation. His military personnel records were destroyed in the fire at the records center in the 1970’s and it does not appear on his discharge papers. There are a couple of errors or inconsistencies on his discharge paper that I found through reconstructing his files and I am trying to find out if the omission of documentation of the CIB is another.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
David
Fairbanks, Alaska

[dianekrollewis]

I sent a lot of paperwork, including the CIB directive to Jim West a year ago, and he
forwarded all to the 106th archives.