I think the DM doesn't automatically qualify someone the CIB award. I think you have to be an infantryman to get an "infantry" badge. It sure sounds from the description:

...who personally fought in active ground combat while an assigned member of either an infantry or a Special Forces unit, of brigade size or smaller, any time after 6 December 1941.

Then again even the sailors and airmen were "infantry" at some point.

>Was this medal awarded to DM survivors?
Yes.

>How was this accomplished?
By following the guideline, War Department Circular 269, dated 27 October 1943.

>Has anyone here been awarded the CIB?
There were substanial number of Army veterans (Including AAF, and members of tank units) awarded the CIB.

>For what period in time was it awarded to you?
For the period of 7 December 1941 to 10 May 1942.

Please note the requirement to be assigned to an infantry unit was not effective until 1944.  WD Circulars 186, and 408 do not pertain to veterans of Bataan,  and Corregidor.

The requirement to possess the infantry Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) was not effective until the 1960's.  Obviously, it does not involve the veterans in question.

As recent as 2003, Congressman Patrick Kennedy(RI) presented the CIB to a former member of the AAF that participated in the battles.

I would be happy to share documents to substantiate my statements.

Robert

Sue,

I also noticed this post and feel I should help clarify.

Victor is correct, one must be a trained Infantryman to qualify for the CIB or EIB.  The Death March, or combat undertaken by other branches does not qualify an individual for either award. Both awards were designed to "to enhance morale and the prestige" by their creator, LTG McNair.  The clear intent was for the Infantry. Here's a link to the CIB association for reference:

http://cibassoc.com/history/history-of-the-combat-infantrymans-badge/

and the Institute of Heraldry:

http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/UniformedServices/Badges/combat_infantryman.as...

This also addresses the statement about the Bronze Star Medal.  It clearly references the intent behind the CIB as well in regards to the Infantry branch.  It is not a guideline, it is a regulation.  Once can insist on enforcing regulations, but not guidelines within the U. S. Army.  The CIB never intended to neglect other branches, it was to help fill the ranks of the Infantry and provide them with some esprit d'corps.

While it may be possible that some individuals were awarded the CIB that were not Infantry, it would have been in error, which happens often.  One would be more correct to try to get those rescinded than to ask for exceptions to policy on this regulation.  This has been an issue recently within the Army, where many branches felt they should be awarded the CIB in Iraq and Afghanistan because they felt they were doing "Infantry work".  Thus, the Combat Action Badge was approved for all MOS's.  Infantry personnell already awarded a CIB are not authorized a CAB, just so you know.  

Here is  some more information which may help add some more clarity to the CIB.  It is considered an award as a qualification badge (for the Infantry), not a decoration like a BSM or SS for personal bravery or gallantry.  For instance, the Expert Infantryman's Badge is awarded after an Infantryman has completed two weeks of grueling testing, qualifications and physical competition.  Some say the EIB is tougher to get than the CIB.  However, if one is awarded a CIB it takes precedence over the EIB since it was felt this was the highest qualification of an Infantry warrior.  It is interesting to note that you don't really hear of any non-Infantry branches clamoring for EIBs.

I would not understand why members of the 26th CAV REG, a great unit I might add,  would have been awarded CIBs; it would have been a mistake at best.  The circulars mentioned were established in 1943 and specifically mention the beginning date, 6 Dec 1941 and specify what branch and requirements are.  There have been some additional changes later, but the Viet Nam conflict is the only one where some notable exceptions were made.

As a personal note, while I was serving in Desert Storm (in the Infantry), at the end of that conflict CIBs were automatically handed out to ALL Infantryman.  Almost immediately the order was rescinded as it was determined there were MOS qualified Infantryman serving in divisional and theatre staffs, some never even taking part in the invasion into Iraq and Kuwait.  You may note that in WWII that only a regimental commander and below were authorized the CIB.  Later, as the organization of Infantry units changed, it would include brigades.  Eventually, CIBs were issued to those qualifed, and those that were not did not receive them.  Perhaps some were able to get them awarded, but it would have been is a spirit of dishonesty.  It might be noted that the awardee of a CIB was paid $10 more dollars a month and the EIB a few dollars less (back then, no monetary award now).

There is also a Combat Medic Badge.  It is reserved for medics assigned to combat units and has as much history and prestige as the CIB.  These days almost all soldiers are trained and certified in combat medic procedures, but only those holding the MOS can qualify for the badge.  As an example, if you are an Infantryman and you save someones life in combat with this training than you are not going to receive a CMB, but you most likely be awarded something else for your actions.


There is no doubt that many individuals on the Death March and the fighting prior to the surrender did not receive awards or recognition that they deserve.  However, as mentioned, the CIB is an award reserved for Infantryman, and remains as such.

I hope this all helps.

Raleigh

Combat Inf Badge.

In one of my books I read where the author and a friend were going to get a Combat Inf Badge when they got back to the Presideo of San Francisco.  At the end of the book was a statement where they both were turned down for no MOS, not being assigned to an Inf unit.  I can only assume this was corrected.  

It also showed me that the guerrillas in the Philippines were informed of this award and they all probably talked about gettting it, as Guerrillas fighting the Japs.

It seemsed someone dropped the ball when they applied.  I can only assume thet they belonged to a Legion of VFW Post and it was corrected.

Thomas McGeeney