From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:      Secretary of the Navy 
 
Subj:    REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF   
             
Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. §1552 
 
Encl: (1) DD Form 149 
 (2) Advisory Opinion of 16 April 2020 
  
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of the reference, Petitioner, a former enlisted Sailor, filed the enclosure with this Board, requesting a correction to the awards listed on his DD Form 214. 
  
2.  The Board, consisting of  reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 25 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 enclosure, relevant portions of the Petitioner’s naval 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.  Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 12 June 1961.  On 3 June 1965, he was discharged with an honorable characterization of service as reflected on a DD Form 214. 
 
      c.  Petitioner’s DD Form 214, under the section relating to awards, notes that he had “none,” which is incorrect. 
 
      d.  After his discharge from active duty, Petitioner remained in the reserves until 1 March 1995, during which he earned additional awards.  The awards he earned while in the reserve status would not be reflected on a DD Form 214, which, as noted, covers only Petitioner’s initial active duty period. 
 
     e.  The Board sought an advisory opinion (AO), which is at enclosure (2), from the Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals. 
 
     f.  According to the AO, the Petitioner is entitled to the following medals and awards, with the asterisk signifying this medal or award was more than likely earned during the Petitioner’s initial period of active duty for which he received a DD Form 214:  
 
Navy Battle “E”* 
 
Navy Good Conduct* 
 
Navy Reserve Meritorious Service Medal w/2 bronze stars (reserve only medal) 
 
National Defense Service Medal* 
 
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal* 
 
 Service Medal w/1 bronze star* 
 
Navy Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon* 
 
USCG Meritorious Unit Commendation with O device  
 
USCG Special Operation Ribbon w/1 bronze star 
 
     g.  Regarding Petitioner’s request for a personal appearance, the Board determined that a personal appearance with or without counsel would not materially add to their understanding of the issues involved.  Therefore, the Board determined that a personal appearance was not necessary and considered his case based on the evidence of record. 
 
CONCLUSION 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board finds the existence of an error warranting relief. 
 
RECOMMENDATION 
 
In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action: 
 
Petitioner’s naval record be corrected by issuing to him a DD Form 215, adding the following medals or awards to his initial DD Form 214:  Navy Battle “E”, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal,  Service Medal w/1 bronze star. 
 
That no further action be granted. 
 
A copy of this report of proceedings be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. 
 
That upon request, the Department of Veterans Affairs is informed that Petitioner’s application was received by the Board on 17 Dec 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.