Docket No: 2058-20  
Ref:   Signature Date 
 
From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records
To:    Secretary of the Navy 
  
Subj:  REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF          USMC 
 
Ref:   (a) 10 U.S.C. 1552   
     
Encl:  (1) DD Form 149 (NR20190005659) 
       (2) Case summary 
 
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Marine Corps, filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting that his Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) be corrected to reflect awards and decorations he believed he earned.  Enclosure (2) applies. 
 
2.  The Board, consisting of     reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 31 August 2020, and, pursuant to its regulations, determined that the partial 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, and policies. 
 
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 Marine Corps and started a period of active duty on 12 August 1984.  He deployed multiple times in support of contingency operations. 
 
    d.  On 15 June 1991, Petitioner was discharged with a Honorable discharge and awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service Medal as noted on his DD 214. 
 
    e.  On 10 August 2020, HQ Marine Corps (HQMC) issued an advisory opinion that found that Petitioner is entitled to following awards: 
 
1. Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Unit Commendation; 2. Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; 3. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; 4. Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal; 5. National Defense Service Medal; 6. Southwest Asia Service Medal w/3 bronze stars; 7. Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/1 bronze star; 8. Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/bronze M; 9. Kuwait Liberation Medal; (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait); 10. Rifle Expert Badge (Fifth Award) and 11. Pistol Expert Badge. 
 
    h.  The Board considered Petitioner’s request for a change to his awards and decorations and concurred with the advisory opinion.    
    
CONCLUSION: 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, and especially in light of references (b) and (c), the Board concluded that Petitioner’s request warrants partial corrective action to include changes to his awards and decorations to include the following:  
 
1. Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Unit Commendation; 2. Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation; 3. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; 4. Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal; 5. National Defense Service Medal; 6. Southwest Asia Service Medal w/3 bronze stars; 7. Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/1 bronze star; 8. Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/bronze M; 9. Kuwait Liberation Medal; (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait); 10. Rifle Expert Badge (Fifth Award) and 11. Pistol Expert Badge. 
 
In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action. 
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
That Petitioner’s naval record be corrected to show that on 14 December 1989, Petitioner was issued the above –noted awards and decorations.   
 
That Petitioner be issued a DD Form 215.   
 
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 27 February 2020. 
 
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.