DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490
                                                           
Docket No. 6440-18                                                           
Ref: Signature date 
 
From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records  
To:    Secretary of the Navy  

Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. §1552
     (b) MMMA AO dtd 2 May 19 

Encl: (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 
      (2) Case Summary 
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted Marine, filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting the Combat Action Ribbon for his service in the in 1966.  Enclosures (1) and (2) apply. 

2.  The Board, consisting of                , reviewed Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 16 September 2019, and pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, relevant portions of his naval records, applicable statutes, regulations, policies, and an advisory opinion (AO) provided by Marine Corps Awards Branch (Reference (b)). 

3.  The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record pertaining to Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice finds as follows:

     a.  Before applying to this Board, Petitioner exhausted all administrative remedies available under existing law and regulations within the Department of the Navy.

     b.  Petitioner enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period of active service on 30 March 1964.  During the period from 10 March to 21 December 1966, Petitioner served in the                        with 1st Marine Division as a radio telegraph operator. On 30 December 1966, he was discharged with an honorable characterization of service.

     c.  At the time of his discharge he was issued a Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge (DD Form 214) indicating the following awards: Campaign Medal,         Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Rifle Expert Badge. 

     d.  On 16 August 2011, Petitioner was issued a Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 215) amending his awards to indicate the addition of the Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon with one bronze star, Marine Corps Marksman Rifle Badge,             Meritorious Unit Commendation (Gallantry Cross Colors), and  Service Medal with two bronze stars.

     e.  An advisory opinion (AO) furnished by the Marine Corps Awards Branch indicated that based on his service in the          , Petitioner is entitled to the Combat Action Ribbon.  
 
CONCLUSION 

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, and specifically in light of Reference (b), the Board concludes that Petitioner’s request warrants favorable action.  In this regard, the Board concurs with the AO. 

RECOMMENDATION 

In view of the foregoing, the Board finds the existence of an injustice warranting the following partial corrective action. 
Petitioner be issued a DD Form 215 indicating entitlement to the Combat Action Ribbon. 

That no further changes be made to the record. 
Upon request, the Department of Veterans Affairs be informed that Petitioner’s application was received by the Board on 21 August 2018. 

4.  It is certified that a quorum was present at the Board’s review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board’s proceedings in the above entitled matter. 

5.  Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) of the revised Procedures of the Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal Regulation, Section 723.6(e)) and having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing corrective action, taken under the authority of reference (a), has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy. 


12/10/2019