The Combat Infantryman Badge is awarded for serving thirty days or more under enemy fire. My qualification for this was issued from the Twenty-seventh Infantry special order 194, which reads, “For exemplary performance of duty in ground combat against the enemy” by the order of Lieutenant Colonel Gagwin. The classification of 1745L, combat infantry leader took place following satisfactory completion of a special military school for that purpose. The CIB is a salute to army personnel who risked their lives and experienced “incoming enemy fire” from those who planned to kill them. It was chosen as the title for this book because of the sacrifice made by many across the years in military service. Some returned to the USA without a homecoming celebration, and some died on the battlefields or in route, but in all cases they willingly or unwillingly faced the fire and were true to our nation’s call.
