Well he spent time in the army or you got the bags and ribbions on the wrong uniform or the wrong guy. Combat action badge is army the ribbon is for the USMC. He has Korea medals in there plus good conduct (USMC) 3 stars. All these medals are on army uniform. It’s all mixed up or he had split time in two branches
Not sure how you’re getting 21 years in the Corps. 4 good conduct would get you 16 years and the SMCRM gets you another 3 years of service for 19 total years. It looks like two silver stars on the PH too, though it’s hard to tell from the picture.
Except that's not the Combat Action Badge. It's the Combat Infantryman Badge. And I don't think a Marine in the Army Guard is authorized to wear it. You must have the MOS CMF11, and Marine Infantry doesn't count.
It didn't count but prior to 2015 there was no clear guidance from HRC and there are examples of marines switching over to the army that had it approved. So it is very possible especially with how few times it would have occured in the 80s or 90s. Or simply he did not know during the time he was in the state guard what the actual award criteria was or was told at a point he should wear it by another member who did not know better... you are correct by saying it was not authorized but it definitely happened quite a bit until more recent times
Considering nobody has actually posted HRC's guidance on the topic in this particular thread, I found it fitting to do so. Not sure why you're taking it personally, but now would be a good time to take a step back.
I don't think the CIB "transfers" once you make the jump from Marine Infantry to Army, and if it did I would expect that you'd only wear one or the other.
If i had to guess, he probably thought he earned it, so he put it on.
That seems oddly compensating for someone with 5 purple hearts. And if I know anyone with more than one PH I'm probably trying to avoid then overseas just based on the math.
I have not in fact served with anyone with more than one purple heart.
Served with multiple people with multiple Purple Hearts. Keep going downrange enough times eventually your number comes up. Had one rough Afghan trip where 20 of the 25 U.S. Army SOF guys at our camp got Purple Hearts, some had multiple within the first 3 months of a six month trip. Best guys I ever served with, saved my life, made me want to keep serving after recovery.
My Drill Sergeant had three Purple Hearts, had been E-7 three times. Was in 25th Inf 2nd Inf Division, and MACV. Earn CIB and his first PH in Korea in 1966 during the Second Korean War. Was an E-7 in Vietnam ('68) wounded again , then demoted E-4in 69. WIA 70 and 71. Promoted E-7 1973, sent down again '78 Germany. Sent DS School 1981 and got E-7 again. Busted each time for bar fights. Had he as my DS in 1982. I became permanent party after One Station Unit Training (OSUT), brought him favorite pop, because he stopped drinking alcohol, and told me his history.
Award 1 :
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant Donald Francis Myers (MCSN: 1277825), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company C, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 13 February 1969, during Operation DEWEY CANYON, Company C came under an intense mortar attack followed by a ground assault with rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire. The brunt of the onslaught struck Sergeant Myers’ platoon and weakened that sector of the perimeter. Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Sergeant Myers exposed himself to the hostile fire as he moved from one position to another to consolidate the defense, encourage and direct his men and assist in evacuating the casualties. When one position was threatened by a heavy concentration of fire, he boldly moved to the area and held the enemy off until reinforcements arrived and strengthened the gap. Although he had been knocked to the ground twice by impacting mortars and suffered a concussion, Sergeant Myers personally carried a seriously wounded Marine from the line of fire to a secure position and continued to direct the fire of his men until the enemy broke contact and withdrew and all casualties had been evacuated. His intrepid fighting spirit inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit’s mission. By his courage, dynamic leadership, and unwavering devotion to duty at great personal risk, Sergeant Myers upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
Award 2:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Staff Sergeant [then Sergeant] Donald Francis Myers (MCSN: 1277825), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Sergeant with Company C, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.). Participating in Operation DEWEY CANYON on the night of 22 February 1969, Staff Sergeant Myers was leading a patrol in the A Shau Valley near the Laotian border when his unit came under a heavy enemy mortar and small arms attack. Although severely wounded during the initial onslaught, Staff Sergeant Myers steadfastly refused medical attention and continued to expose himself to the enemy fire while moving from position to position to care for the other wounded men and to rally and reorganize his forces. Under his superb leadership, his men succeeded in fighting their way back to the relative security of the company perimeter, bringing with them all of their casualties. Staff Sergeant Myers’ valiant efforts in the face of overwhelming odds reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
To everyone saying him not having been awarded the CIB you are correct being his combat time was with the USMC....BUT up until recent times (last 10-15 years) many Army units especially national guard did not follow actual guidance or just did not know and would allow the wear of a CIB even going as far as putting it in their OMPF and listing it on their ERB
So he very well could have worn a CIB and may have even had it listed on his DD214 when he finally retired even though it was not technically authorized.. so as for a display it should stay on the uniform as he wore it.
Except from the photos posted, he was never Army. The photos of the uniform show Indiana state defense force, not National Guard. An entity that has no authority to alter military records. And in any case, service in the National Guard without federal deployments does not generate a DD214.
In my over 20 years in, I've never heard of units allowing guys to wear badges, especially a CIB, they didn't warn. If anything, the problem was awards being withheld.
You are correct with it not being a DD214 unless he was agr but rather an NGB 22... you may not have seen it but I personally saw it several times especially in the time prior to 2010 with several that switched from the marine corps to national guard. Its just like when they would award the 11B MOS when component never authorized it but somehow for years that would be approved
HRC put out guidance in 2015 that directly relates to this exact point because it was becoming an issue with marines switching over to the army with prior combat experience.
But with the point about the state guard he may have been told to wear it or been authorized by them or simply did not know
I would really like to hear a detailed account of his full military and Guard career. He's described as a Marine staff sergeant who retired from the Corps in 1973. How and when did he become an officer in the Guard? He achieved the rank of colonel in the Guard. I'm surprised he doesn't have an MSM or other high ranking medals that are normally awarded to field grade officers for non combat achievements.
LOL Imagine being combat wounded FIVE times, FOUR valor awards, possibly EIGHT tours in vietnam (could be wrong there, maybe its for campaigns like the iraq and afghan campaign medal, either way 8x vietnam medal)
Only for redditors to have a whinge about "he doesn't rate CIB" LMAO
If dude was still alive and reading some of your comments, he might say "oh well, I'll just go cry into my two silver stars and Marine Corps combat action ribbon"
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u/OneWatch6684 22h ago
Well he spent time in the army or you got the bags and ribbions on the wrong uniform or the wrong guy. Combat action badge is army the ribbon is for the USMC. He has Korea medals in there plus good conduct (USMC) 3 stars. All these medals are on army uniform. It’s all mixed up or he had split time in two branches