Basic CIB question

[stratasfan]

I know this is going to sound super basic. I've read through wikipedia, but am still unclear, and would like to ask. So . . . all of you who I know are into CIBs - give me your two cents!

 

The CIB --- is it an award like an Expert Marksman badge? How do you "earn" one (i.e. is it skill or valour)? Is it given to an individual soldier or a unit? Is it like a medal or like a specialist's badge? So . . . I guess you can boil it down to why would anyone be proud to wear a CIB?

 

Thanks! I know these are probably super basic questions . . . but I've wondered for years! And I see that so many of you collect them!

 

Elizabeth

[BILL THE PATCH]

My father didn't care about anything else, he always wanted to see his cib, ( after he gave it to me). To most men I guess they stayed and didn't run is what I'm trying to say. But officially 30 days in combat you were awarded the cib, I think that's how it goes. Maybe it changed after ww2

 

Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

 

[MattS]

Much harder to earn than a marksmanship badge. I was awarded an Expert badge in basic training during rifle qualification and never touched a M-16 again. Big whoop. The CIB was an individual badge (not unit). You had to be infantry (engineers, artillery, aviation don't count) and had to be in combat with the enemy. Most guys that wore one wore it as a badge of honor that they had seen combat, as the purpose of the infantry is to engage the enemy's troops in battle. The CIB showed you fulfilled your purpose.

 

In WW2, being awarded a CIB meant an automatic Bronze Star also (those were mostly issued out after the war though).

[triplecanopy]

The EIB and CIB were first authorized during World War II (1943) and continue to this day as one of the most prestigious awards a soldier can earn. The CIB signifies that an INFANTRYMAN or Special Forces Soldier has been in actual combat against a hostile enemy force.

 

 

Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall initiated the development of an award to honor the U.S. Army Infantryman. The Office of Heraldic Activity of the Quartermaster General began work on designing a badge that would represent the U.S. Infantry's tough, hard hitting role in combat and symbolize proficiency in the Infantry skills.

The CIB and EIB are only awarded to U.S. Army personnel who hold Infantry or Special Forces military occupational specialties (MOS). To be awarded the EIB, the service member must complete a testing phase which is the culmination of weeks of training, leading to a final evaluation period. The EIB test is administered on the average once per year with pass rates usually averaging less than 10 percent, depending on the unit conducting testing. The CIB as stated above is awarded for actually being in combat against a hostile force. The CIB when authorized is worn above all other awards and decorations.

[triplecanopy]

Description

A silver and enamel badge 1 inch (2.54 cm) in height and 3 inches (7.62 cm) 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.

Symbolism

The bar is 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.

Award Eligibility

See Army Regulation 600-8-22, Military Awards.

Date Approved

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 Infantryman 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 could now be awarded to eligible individuals for each war in which they participated. During WW2, there existed metallic, composite models of the CIB composed of a separate EIB rectangle-badge and oak-leaf wreath that then was pinned to the blouse, as a Combat Infantryman Badge.

 

Note on the cover of the Infantry Journal are pictured both the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge.

 

[stratasfan]

Very cool! So, kind of like the Air Medal for 5 missions, showing you actually were on missions.

 

Thanks for all the info! I really appreciate it! I didn't get the idea that it was for actually having been in combat. I can see why it is special.

 

Now . . . someone mentioned something that brings a question. Why would you be automatically awarded a Bronze Star? doesn't that lessen it as a valour award?

[Ivydiv]

You had to have an infantry MOS ie, 11 B 20 etc. You would receive it when assigned to a combat unit, either after 30 days, or as soon as you were under fire. It was only issued to infantry soldiers, thus it is with the greatest pride that it is treasured by grunts. Most of the time you would be under fire before the 30 days elapsed. At least in Vietnam. Dave

[Wharfmaster]

The Bronze Star was awarded in 1947 to all that held the CIB or Combat Medical Badge for political reasons.

 

 

 

 

Wharf

[MattS]

Now . . . someone mentioned something that brings a question. Why would you be automatically awarded a Bronze Star? doesn't that lessen it as a valour award?

 

"In 1947, a policy was implemented that authorized the retroactive award of the Bronze Star to soldiers who had received the Combat Infantryman Badge during World War II. The basis for doing this was that the CIB was awarded only to soldiers who had borne combat duties befitting the Bronze Star Medal and also that both awards required a recommendation by the commander and a citation in orders."

 

https://www.cibassoc.com/about/combat-infantryman-badge/

[Old Marine]

This is a portion of the requirements from the Army Awards Manual AR-600-8-22 June 2015

There is alot more in the manual but this give you the general idea.

 

 

8–6. Combat Infantryman Badge

a. For award of the CIB a Soldier must meet the following three requirements:

(1) Be an infantryman satisfactorily performing infantry duties.

(2) Assigned to an infantry unit during such time as the unit is engaged in active ground combat.

(3) Actively participate in such ground combat. Campaign or battle credit alone is not sufficient for award of the

CIB.

b. The specific eligibility criteria for the CIB require that:

(1) A Soldier must be an Army infantry or SF officer (SSI 11 or 18) in the grade of COL/O–6 or below, or an Army

enlisted Soldier or warrant officer with an infantry or SF MOS who, subsequent to 6 December 1941, has satisfactorily

performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger, or SF unit of either a brigade,

regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat. Eligibility for SF

personnel in MOSs 18B, 18C, 18E, 18F, and 18Z (less 18D–SF medical sergeant) accrues from 20 December 1989.

Retroactive awards of the CIB to SF personnel are not authorized prior to 20 December 1989.

(2) A recipient must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry or SF primary

duty, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy. The unit in question must be a brigade, regiment, or

smaller size. For example, personnel possessing an infantry MOS in a rifle squad of a cavalry platoon in a cavalry

troop would be eligible for award of the CIB. Battle or campaign participation credit alone is not sufficient; the unit

must have been in active ground combat with the enemy during the period.

(3) Personnel with other than an infantry or SF MOS are not eligible, regardless of the circumstances. The infantry

or SF SSI or MOS does not necessarily have to be the Soldier’s primary specialty, as long as the Soldier has been

properly trained in infantry or SF tactics, possesses the appropriate skill code, and is serving in that specialty when

engaged in active ground combat as described above. Commanders are not authorized to make any exceptions to this

policy.

(4) Awards will not be made to general officers or to members of headquarters companies of units larger in size

than brigade.

 

[riflegreen297]

 

Why would you be automatically awarded a Bronze Star? doesn't that lessen it as a valour award?

 

 

 

Bronze Stars themselves are for Meritorious achievement in a combat zone not necessarily for valor. It may also be awarded for valorous actions that generally fall in between the levels an Army Commendation Medal awarded for Valor but do not achieve the level of gallantry for a Silver Star.

[stratasfan]

 

Bronze Stars themselves are for Meritorious achievement in a combat zone not necessarily for valor. It may also be awarded for valorous actions that generally fall in between the levels an Army Commendation Medal awarded for Valor but do not achieve the level of gallantry for a Silver Star.

 

 

How super interesting! Thanks for the simple answer! I've not really done a lot with BS or SS medals, so this is very helpful to have it put in so few words for me! So, the Silver Star is more of a valour medal, then? As opposed to the Bronze Star for Meritorious achievement. So, is the BS kind of like the Commendation medals?

[72psb]

Bronze stars come in two varieties.A V device is awarded for an act of valor.The non valor award can be awarded for actions short of valor for many circumstances.Many behind the lines staff officers received this award during VN.

[917601]

My father's CIB is scratch engraved on the reverse " There are no Athiests in combat". He was in the 86th Infantry Division, and shot by a German MG at the Bonzel Crossroads, numerous times, stomach, legs, thumb, thighs while advanvancing down the hill to the crossroad. Division records state it was the Division's largest single day loss. According to records, the 342nd INF Regiment on April 11th was ordered to move out towards the Bigge River, while advancing on the Bonzel Cross Road, German AA and MG's trained their guns on them from the opposite hill. He was in I company, they were decimated...he laid in a cow path ditch in " no man's land"( their force retreated back up the hill ) when overhead aircraft and the entire Division artillery pummeled his area. The next day he was found with his wounded Lt in the ditch....he ended up in a hospital in Paris, then shipped back to the states on a hospital ship. The Bronze star was retroactively awarded to him by a Congressional decree that declared all 11B infantrymen were eligible for the unique hardship Infantrymen had endured. His CIB was his prized award, more so than the BSM or Purple Heart. He was 19 years old, and received a disability check for $40 till he died in 1993.

[mikie]

My father didn't care about anything else, he always wanted to see his cib, ( after he gave it to me). To most men I guess they stayed and didn't run is what I'm trying to say. But officially 30 days in combat you were awarded the cib, I think that's how it goes. Maybe it changed after ww2Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk

Same here. The one possession he had that he was most proud of. Though Dad never gave me his, he let me display it with my militaria collection. I gave it back when I moved out in 1981. Sure hope my oldest brother has kept it safe since Dad passed away.

 

Mikie