|
Combat
Infantryman Badge
First
Award
Second
Award
Third
Award
Fourth
Award
|
Criteria
Awarded to
personnel in the grade of Colonel or below with an infantry
military occupational specialty who have satisfactorily
performed duty while assigned as a member of an infantry unit,
brigade or smaller size, during any period subsequent to 6
December 1941 when the unit was engaged in active ground combat.
The policy was expanded to permit award to Command Sergeants
Major of infantry battalions or brigades, effective 1 January
1967. Specific criteria for each conflict was also established.
Only one award is authorized for service in Vietnam, Laos,
Dominican Republic, Korea (subsequent to 27 July 1954), Grenada,
Panama, and Southwest Asia. The complete criteria for each area
and inclusive dates are listed in Army Regulation 600-8-22.
Components
A silver and enamel badge 1 inch in height and 3 inches
in width, consisting of an infantry musket on a light blue bar
with a silver border, on and over an elliptical oak wreath.
Stars are added at the top of the wreath to indicate subsequent
awards; one star for the second award, two stars for the third
award and three stars for the fourth award.
The bar is
Infantry Blue, the color associated with the Infantry branch.
The musket is adapted from the Infantry insignia of branch and
represents the first official U.S. shoulder arm, the 1795 model
Springfield Arsenal musket. It was adopted as the official
Infantry branch insignia in 1924. The oak symbolizes
steadfastness, strength and loyalty. |
Subdued badges are
authorized in metal and cloth. The metal badge has a black finish. The
cloth badge has olive green base cloth with the rifle, wreath, stars and
border of the bar embroidered in black.
A dress miniature badge,
1 1/4 inches in length is authorized for wear on the mess uniforms. A
miniature badge, 1 3/4 inches is also authorized in lieu of the regular
size badge.
Background
The Combat Infantryman Badge was approved by the Secretary of War on 7
October 1943 and announced in War Department Circular 269 dated 27
October 1943. On 8 February 1952, the Chief of Staff, Army, approved a
proposal to add stars to the Combat Infantry Badge to indicate award of
the badge in separate wars. Under this change in policy, the badge was
no longer limited to a one-time award, but may now be awarded to
eligible individuals for each war in which they participated.
Return
to Medals, Badges and Awards |
