On October 27, 1943, the War Department formally established the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB). The Combat Infantry Badge was officially authorized with an executive order dated November 15, 1943; then on June 30, 1944, the U.S. Congress approved an extra ten dollars in monthly pay to every infantryman awarded the CIB (excepting commissioned officers). The World War II regulations did not formally prescribe a specific combat service period establishing the infantryman’s eligibility for being awarded a Combat Infantryman Badge, thus, in 1947, the U.S. Government implemented a policy authorizing the retroactive awarding of the Bronze Star Medal to World War II veteran soldiers who had been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Combat Medic Badge because these badges were awarded only to soldiers who had borne combat duties befitting the recognition conferred by a Bronze Star Medal. Both awards required a commander’s recommendation and a citation in the pertinent orders.
