The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) was established by the War Department on 27 October 1943.
      Lieutenant General Lesley J. McNair, then the Army Ground Forces commanding general, was 
      instrumental in its creation. He originally recommended that it be called the "fighter badge." The
      CIB was designed to enhance morale and the prestige of the "Queen of Battle." Then Secretary of
      War Henry Stinson said, "It is high time we recognize in a personal way the skill and heroism of 
       the American infantry." 

Originally, the Regimental Commander was the lowest level at which the CIB could be approved
and its award was retroactive to 7 December 1941. There was a separate provision for badge holders  to receive a $10 per month pay stipend, which was rescinded in 1948. Several factors led to the creation of the CIB, some of the most prominent factors are as follows: 

           (a) The need for large numbers of well-trained infantry to bring about a successful conclusion to
           the war and the already critical shortage of infantrymen. 

           (b) Of all soldiers, it was recognized that the infantryman continuously operated under the worst
           conditions and performed a mission which was not assigned to any other soldier or unit. 

           (c) The infantry, a small portion of the total Armed Forces, was suffering the most 
            casualties while receiving the least public recognition. 

           (d) General Marshall's well known affinity for the ground forces soldier and, in particular, the
           infantryman. All these factors led to the establishment of the CIB, an award which would provide
           special recognition of the unique role of the Army infantryman, the only soldier whose daily
           mission is to close with and destroy the enemy and to seize and hold terrain. The badge was 
           intended as an inducement for individuals to join the infantry while serving as a morale booster 
           for infantry-men serving in every theater.