Docket No: 9288-19
Ref:   Signature Date

From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:    Secretary of the Navy 
 
Subj:  REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF FORMER  ,             XXX-XX, USMC  
            
Ref:   (a) 10 U.S.C. §1552 
          
Encl:  (1) DD Form 149  
       (2) Case summary 
       (3) Naval record (excerpts) 
       (4) NDBDM Advisory Opinion (AO) dtd 19 Aug 20 
 
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Marine Corps, filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) for participation in Operations JOINT GUARD and DELIBERATE GUARD during 1998.  Enclosures (1) through (3) apply. 
 
2.  The Board, consisting of    , reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 24 August 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 his naval service records, and applicable statutes, regulations, policies and an AO provided by the Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals (NDBDM) dated 19 August 2020. (Enclosure (4)) 
 
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 review the application on its merits.   
 
    c.  Petitioner enlisted in the Marine Corps and began a period of active service on 22 March 1994. June 1989.   
 
     d.  During the period from 24 March to 4 April 1998, Petitioner participated in Operation JOINT GUARD.  On 15 June 1998, Petitioner participated in Operation DELIBERATE GUARD. 
 
     e.  On 21 October 1998, Petitioner was released from active duty at the completion of his required active service.  At the time of his discharge he was issued a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) that indicated his entitlement to the following awards: National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Medal with one star, Letter of Appreciation, Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Mast, Armed Forces Service Medal, NATO Medal, and Rifle Expert Badge (2nd Award).   
 
     f.  On 25 April 2013, Headquarters Marine Corps Awards Branch, at the request of the Petitioner, conducted an awards verification review.  As a result of the review, Petitioner was issued a Correction to DD Form 214 (DD Form 215) removing the Armed Forces Service Medal and NATO Medal.  
 
     g.  NDBDM reviewed Petitioner record and provided an AO indicating that Petitioner is entitled to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, and especially in light of enclosure (4), the Board determined that Petitioner’s request warrants full relief.   
 
In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action. 
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
That Petitioner’s be issued a DD Form 215 indicating entitlement to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. 
 
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 25 September 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 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.