DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 
 
Docket No. 6561-17 
 
From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To: Secretary of the Navy 


Ref: (a) Title 10 U.S.C. § 1552 

Encl: (1) DD Form 149 
      (2) Case summary 
      (3) Subject's naval record (excerpts) 
      (4) 1650NDBDM/PERS-312 ltrdtd 1Sep17 

1. Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), a former enlisted member of the Navy, filed 
enclosure ( 1) with this Board requesting that his record accurately reflect medals and awards that 
he earned during his periods ofmilitary service, specifically to add the Purple Heart Medal. 

2. The Board, consisting of          , reviewed 
Petitioner's allegations oferror and injustice on 30 April 2018 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 ofyour application, together 
with all material submitted in support thereof, relevant portions of your naval record and 
applicable statutes, regulations and policies. In addition, the Board considered the advisory 
opinion (AO) provided by the Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals (NDBDM) 
dated 1 September 2017. 

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 ofthe Navy. 

b. Although enclosure (l) was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest ofjustice to 
waive the statute oflimitations and review the application on its merits. 

c. Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period ofactive duty on 15 December 1942. 
He was discharged with an honorable characterization ofservice on 5 October 1948. His active 
duty service included his participation in combat operations onboard the USS        .
His DD Form 214 issued on 5 October 1948 reflects that he earned the Good Conduct Medal, World War 
II Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal 
with five stars and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two stars. 

d. The AO in enclosure (4) advised that the Petitioner's Official Military Personnel File 
(OMPF) and the documents provided fail to document that he was wounded under the conditions 
for which the Purple Heart can be authorized. However, a review of Petitioner's OMPF show he 
is entitled to the Combat Action Ribbon. 

CONCLUSION: 

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence ofrecord, the Board concluded that 
Petitioner's request warrants partial relief. In this regard, the Board substantially concurred with 
the AO and concluded that during the Petitioner's period ofservice, he did not meet the 
eligibility criteria for the Purple Heart Medal. However, the Petitioner is entitled to the Combat 
Action Ribbon. 

In view ofthe above, the Board directs the following corrective action. 

RECOMMENDATION: 

That Petitioner be issued a Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from 
Active Duty (DD Form 215) which reflects the Combat Action Ribbon. 

That a copy of this report of proceedings be filed in Subject's naval record. 

That, upon request, the Department ofVeterans Affairs be informed that Petitioner's application 
was received by the Board on 27 February 2017. 

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 ofthe Board's proceedings in the above entitled matter. 
aP/)r7 

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

Executive Director