CIB's being awarded to com engs

[Walt's Daughter]

I am adding (with permission) a letter which Bill on the Hill sent to me a while back.

 

 

Hi, Marion...I have just spent about an hour reading commentary about the CIB. Thought I would tell you one of my experiences.

 

At the end of the War in Europe, I was sent to Division Rear to work up the points for my Company (Co. B, 312th Engr. Combat Battalion). Although I was trained as an Infantryman (combat ready in 13 weeks in 1943), I had become a Combat Engineer before going overseas with the 87th Infantry Division. In my initial baptism of fire in France I served as an Infantry Rifleman the very first day in combat. Also, I served as an Infantry Rifleman during several days during the last two weeks of the war.

 

At Division rear I went thru their chow line. Every food server was wearing the CIB. Several times I engaged one or more of those food servers in conversation and found out that most of them never even had to hit the ground with artillery shells raining in. My conversations with these men usually had a bit of humor in them...no arguments or disagreements. Personally, I knew that I was not eligible for the CIB and never questioned that. Based on my service record, in 1945 I applied for and received the EIB (Expert Infantry Badge).

 

You most likely are aware that there is a Combat Engineer Badge. It is not offcial and should not be worn on the uniform. Of course there is no formal award or cash involved. I wear the CEB on my VFW cap. It is too bad that they did not make it an official badge, with or without extra pay.

 

As for myself, I am quite satisfied that I was able and did perform on several occasions as an Infantryman, and felt that I was skilled in doing so. After the War, I was a Lt. Col. Battalion Commander in the ROTC, and that was an Infantry Battalion.

 

All the best, Bill on the Hill