[MNJohnnie]

“Not possible. Tbe award was not created until 2005.”

Incorrect.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combat_Action_Badge

The Combat Action Badge (or CAB) is a military badge worn in the U.S. Army. The emblem features both a M9 bayonet and M67 grenade. The Combat Action Badge may be awarded to any soldier after the date of September 18, 2001 performing duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized, who is personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of
engagement. Award is not limited by one’s branch of service or military occupational specialty, but is only authorized for wear on U.S. Army uniforms. A silver badge 2 inches (5.08cm) in width overall consisting of an oak wreath supporting a rectangle bearing a bayonet surmounting a grenade, all silver. Stars are added at the top to indicate subsequent awards; one star for the second award, two stars for the third award and three stars for the fourth award. In comparison to the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB), the CAB has a silver rectangle backing rather than blue, and the CAB is 1 inch shorter in length than the CIB.

[Non-Sequitur]

Incorrect.

Never read only part of the Wikipedia article. If you had read further you would have found this part. "The CAB creation was approved by the U.S. Army on May 2, 2005..."

[91B]

No, the award was not created until 2005, although it was made retroactive until 2001. Before the creation of the CAB the Army had proposed the Close Combat Badge for Engineers, Tankers, Artillerymen and other combat MOS's.

The point I was responding to was that Patraeus might have earned the award as a junior officer, which is not possible.

While it is possible for him to have earned the award in Iraq, it does give me pause as I personally know other-more junior-soldiers whose award was denied on a technecality.