I see that there is a CIB 4th award; it is a CIB with 3 stars on it. Has any soldier ever earned this award?

SFC Jim Mergott — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 22:41:58 -0500

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 10:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 22:46:35 -0500

No, this award has never been issued. The highest number of CIBs that have been awarded to an individual is three, and it required someone to have fought in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The names of all these individuals who have been issued three CIBs have been recorded and they are easily researched through a number of databases and they are registered with the Infantry Museum in Fort Benning. Fewer than 400 triple CIBs have ever been issued, and the most number of CIBs that a currently serving soldier can have is two. For a currently serving soldier to have three awards, he would have had to fought in Korea, Vietnam and in the Global War on terror....and it is pretty obvious to see why that is impossible. For a fourth award, a soldier would have had to have served in all four eras, WII, Korea, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terror, so again...100% impossible.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Feb 12 at 2018 5:46 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 05:46:24 -0500

The person would have to been 2 or 3 yrs. old serving in WWII to have earned that.

Response by SPC Mike Lake made Feb 12 at 2018 9:02 AM

SPC Mike Lake — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 09:02:45 -0500

No I haven't seen anyone with fourth award I have seen many with 2 awards a couple 3 awards those are hard to come by already and a fourth is darn near Impossible

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Feb 12 at 2018 10:35 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 10:35:33 -0500

Hi SFC,
Check out this discussion as well:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/a-4th-cib-have-you-seen-one

A 4th CIB. have you seen one? | RallyPoint

Response by SPC Kortney Kistler made Mar 4 at 2018 4:54 PM

SPC Kortney Kistler — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 16:54:53 -0500

Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, Somalia, GWOT. There has been opportunity for 5 awards in my lifetime.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Mar 4 at 2018 11:06 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 23:06:28 -0500

It hasn't happened yet. To date, there are five time periods for the CIB. World War II (41-45), Korea (50-53), Vietnam (61-73), Desert Storm and other ops from 1982-1991 and Post 9-11 (2001-present). As no one has served in more than three of these time period, the most CIBs one could have is three.

Response by CPO Lionel Pinn made May 4 at 2020 6:41 PM

CPO Lionel Pinn — Mon, 04 May 2020 18:41:44 -0400

Greetings SFC Mergott - Well defines explanation of one of our countries most under appreciated accomplishments. I assist with the “Third Award of the Combat Infantry Badge” FB page and I encourage everyone to check it out. While there is no 4th Award, there is one unusual but, as I understand it, official side note. It call it the “Kosovo Factor”. In that there is those who served in Vietnam, Global War of Terrorism, and service served in “harms way” in Kosovo that allows for the awarding of the CIBx3 to a limited number of rightful Warriors. Can you please further investigate? Thank you!

Response by SSG Dean Lindeman made Sep 29 at 2020 2:28 PM

SSG Dean Lindeman — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:28:36 -0400

Between Grenada, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, I would think it wouldn't be that difficult to earn four. I have seen a picture of a four award CIB many years ago when I was in JROTC in high school. It might have been in AR 670-1. It was a three award with a third star mounted above the two bottom stars.

Response by SSG Kenneth Ponder made Apr 3 at 2021 1:50 PM

SSG Kenneth Ponder — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 13:50:14 -0400

When the Dominican Republic was invaded, they awarded CIB's some got their 2d, 3d, and 4th award there. USArmy argued over that back & forth, until they finally changed the AR's to specify certain time frames. They should issue one per lifetime, irregardless of who wants it. FYI- I got CIB w/1star, makes no sense. USArmy has too many damn badges, completely ridiculous.

Response by MAJ Glenn Bergeron made May 27 at 2021 6:19 AM

MAJ Glenn Bergeron — Thu, 27 May 2021 06:19:33 -0400

Nope, no such thing.

Response by Katherine DeHoop made Jan 12 at 2022 2:12 PM

Katherine DeHoop — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 14:12:02 -0500

My Dad SGM James O Schmidt is a triple CIB. I wonder how many are still alive? Anybody know? Dad lives in Anchorage AK with me.