Docket No. 4346-19  
Ref: Signature Date  
From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records  
To:  Secretary of the Navy  


Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552 

Encl: (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 
      (2) Subject's naval record (excerpts) 

1.  Pursuant to the provisions of the reference, Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Navy, filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting that the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross Color with Palm, and Counter Insurgency Training be added to his Report of Separation from Active Duty (DD Form 214).  Petitioner also requests an Honorable Discharge Button.  

2.  The Board, consisting of , reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 11 June 2020 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 Petitioner’s naval records, and applicable statutes, regulations and policies and the 13 September 2019 advisory opinion provided by Commander, Navy Personnel Command. 

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.  Although enclosure (1) was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest of justice to waive the statute of limitations and review the application on its merits. 

c.  Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 8 August 1969. On 7 August 1973, Petitioner was released to inactive duty with an honorable characterization of service. 

CONCLUSION: 

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes that Petitioner’s request warrants partial relief. 

In regard to Petitioner’s request for awards and medals, the Board noted on 13 September 2019, Commander, Navy Personnel Command (NPC), identified that Petitioner is entitled to the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross Color With Palm, and Honorable Discharge Button.  NPC noted Petitioner will be issued a DD Form 215 updating his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) with the requested awards and medals. 

In regard to Petitioner’s request for the Counter Insurgency Training to be added to his DD Form 214, the Board found that Petitioner’s certificate of completion and an administrative remarks (Page 13) annotating his successful completion of the course are sufficient evidence to support his request. 

RECOMMENDATION: 

In view of the foregoing, the Board finds the existence of an error and injustice warranting the following corrective action: 

That Petitioner be issued a DD Form 215 indicating Petitioner completion of the Counter Insurgency Training of 1 May 1970. 

That a copy of this report of proceedings be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. 

That, upon request, the Department of Veterans Affairs be informed that Petitioner's application was received by the Board on 22 April 2019. 

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 Regulations, 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 the reference, has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.