DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 Docket No: 8265-17 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) Naval Records (excerpts) (3) Navy Personnel Command Advisory Opinion dtd 7 Jan 19 1. Pursuant to the provisions of the reference, Petitioner, a former enlisted member of the Navy, filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting the European African Service Medal with one bronze star be reflected on his discharge documents. Enclosures (1) through (3) apply. 2. The Board, consisting of , reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 28 January 2019, 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 her naval service records, and applicable statutes, regulations, and policies, and the relevant advisory opinion (AO), enclosure (3). 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, and it is in the interest of justice to review the application on its merits. c. Petitioner enlisted in the Navy and began a period of active duty on 26 November 1943. Petitioner’s service record contains a letter from Commanding Officer, , dated 2 January 1945, which states that the Chief of Naval Personnel, in his 27 February 1945 authorization, entitled Petitioner to the wearing of a bronze star upon the European African Service ribbon for service as a member of the Armed Guard Unit aboard a merchant vessel; the letter requests that a copy of the authority be given to Petitioner and that a copy also be placed in his service jacket. d. As part of the review process, Navy Personnel Command reviewed Petitioner’s request and issued an Advisory Opinion dated 7 January 2019, which concluded that a review of Petitioner’s Official Military Personnel File and the Navy authoritative medals and awards database indicate that Petitioner is entitled to the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze star. The Advisory Opinion also determined that Petitioner is entitled to the Combat Action Ribbon as well. CONCLUSION: The Board reviewed the AO from Navy Personnel Command and concurred that Petitioner’s service entitles him to the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze star, and the Combat Action Ribbon. In view of the 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) to add the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one bronze star and the Combat Action Ribbon. 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 September 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 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. Executive Director