DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY 
BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF NAVAL RECORDS 
701 S. COURTHOUSE ROAD, SUITE 1001 
ARLINGTON, VA 22204-2490 


Docket No: 9716-17
MAR 12 2019 

From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:   Secretary of the Navy 

Subj : REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF FORMER 

Ref:   (a) 10 U U.S.C. § 1552 

Encl:  (1) DD Form 149
       (2) DD Form 214 
       (3) Transmittal of entitlement to Awards of 24 Oct 17 
       (4) NDBDM Advisory Opinion of 30 Mar 18 

1. Pursuant to the provisions of the reference, Petitioner, a fomer enlisted member of the Navy, 
filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting that his Armed Forces of the United States Report 
of Transfer or Discharge (DD Form 214) be corrected to show he was awarded the      and the  
w/Palm, and or Civil Action Color (). Enclosures (1) through (4) apply. 

2. The Board, consisting of   , reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 
10 December 2018 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 potiions of Petitioner's naval records, 
applicable statutes, regulations, policies, and enclosure (4), an advisory opinion (AO) provided 
by the Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals. 

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 regulation 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 Navy and began a period of active duty on 11 September 1972. 
He served until he was honorably discharged on 10 September 1975. At that time, his Report of 
Separation from Active Duty (DD Form 214) showed he was entitled to a National Defense 
Medal. On 11 April 2017, Petitioner was issued a Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of 
Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD 215), that added the Armed Forces Expeditionary 
Medal (Eagle Pull),        Medal with 1 Bronze Star, Humanitarian Service Medal 
with I Bronze Star, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon with 1 Bronze tar, and Navy "E" 
Ribbon. 

    d. Enclosure (3) is a copy of Petitioner's verification of awards by the National Personnel 
Records Center (NPRC) dated 21 October 2008. The NPRC only verified the above awards. 

    e. Petitioner contends that the Veterans Administration needs the awards listed on his DD 
Form 214 and that he was onboard the USS     for Operation     , the last campaign of the war. 

    f. Enclosure (4) concludes that Petitioner is not entitled to the     .   A review of the USS     
official ship history indicates that the vessel was deployed to 
and in   Further, the USS      but did not enter the specified Area of Eligibility (AOE) for the 
awards requested. The       were not authorized for any units performing duties outside of the AOE. 
is not listed in the official lists of vessels and units authorized to receive the Petitioner 
failed to present any evidence that the Navy's official records are in error. The AO, however, does 
conclude that Petitioner is entitled to wear the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon which is not listed 
on his DD Form 214 or 215, and is listed in enclosure (3). 

CONCLUSION 

Upon review and consideration of aJI the evidence of record, and especially in light of enclosures 
(3) and (4), the Board concludes that Petitioner's request warrants partial relief. 
The Board concurred with the AO in that the Petitioner is not entitled to the           but is entitled 
to the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
 
RECOMMENDATION 

In view of the foregoing, the Board finds the existence of an injustice warranting the following 
partial corrective action. 

Petitioner's naval record be corrected to show that he received the Sea Service Deployment ribbon. 

Petitioner be issued a Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty 
(DD Form 215), to reflect the correction above. 

A copy of this Report of Proceedings be filed in Petitioner's naval record. 

No further relief be granted. 

Upon request, the Department of Veterans Affairs be informed that Petitioner's application was 
received by the Board on 17 October 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 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. 



Executive Director