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

From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:   Secretary of the Navy   
 
Subj: REVIEW OF NAVAL RECORD OF FORMER MEMBER   
 
Ref:  (a) 10 U.S.C. 1552 
      (b) DoD Manual 1348.33 (Manual of Military Decorations and Awards) 
      (c) SECNAVINST 1640.1H (Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual)  
   
Encl: (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 
      (2) Case summary 
 
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Petitioner, the son of a former       , hereafter referred to as Sailor, filed enclosure (1) with this Board requesting a change to his late father’s Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service” (NAVPERS 553) to reflect his father’s entitlement to th  Additionally, although not specifically requested by the Petitioner, the Board also considered the Sailor’s entitlement to the several other awards and medals given his dates of active duty service during World War II.  
 
2.  The Board, consisting of   ,   ,   and    , reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 15 August 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 Sailor’s naval service records, and applicable statutes, regulations, 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, and although enclosure (1) was not filed by Petitioners in a timely manner, the Board found it in the interest of justice to waive the statute of limitations and consider his application on its merits. 

b. The Sailor served in the U.S. Navy from 19 December 1939 to 29 December 1945, and he earned an honorable discharge upon his expiration of enlistment.   

c. Reference (c) lists the eligibility requirements for the AM.  Within the Department of the Navy, the AM is awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces of the United States, distinguish themselves by heroic or meritorious achievement while participating in:  1) aerial flight, under flight orders, or 2) sustained aerial flight operations, under flight orders.        

d. The Sailor’s service record includes an AM citation dated 11 January 1950, noting the Sailor’s meritorious achievement in aerial flight as Radar Operator of a Patrol Bomber Plane in Patrol Bombing Squadron Thirty Two that detected, tracked, and destroyed a     submarine in the vicinity of    in July 1943.        

e. The Petitioner’s original NAVPERS 553 does not list entitlement to any awards or medals, other than the Good Conduct Medal.  The Board reviewed the Sailor’s official military personnel file (“OMPF”) and independently verified and determined that the Sailor is entitled to the following seven awards (listed in order of precedence): 

1) Air Medal;
2) Navy Unit Commendation; 
3) Navy Good Conduct Medal;
4) American Defense Service Medal;
5) American Campaign Medal; 
6) World War II Victory Medal; and
7) Air Crew Insignia (with zero stars).   

f.   Documentation substantiating each award was located in the Sailor’s OMPF.  Accordingly, the Board determined that the Sailor is entitled to the seven above-referenced awards and insignia, to include the  The Board concluded that their decision was consistent with current awards guidance as outlined in references (b) and (c).   

CONCLUSION: 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, especially in light of the Board’s own independent analysis, the Board determined that Petitioner’s request warrants relief.   
 
In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action. 
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
That Sailor be issued a “Correction to DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty” (DD Form 215), to indicate the entitlement to the following decorations, medals, badges, commendations, citations, and campaign ribbons:  

1) Air Medal;
2) Navy Unit Commendation; 
3) Navy Good Conduct Medal;
4) American Defense Service Medal
5) American Campaign Medal; 
6) World War II Victory Medal; and
7) Air Crew Insignia (with zero stars).    

         
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 16 January 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 reference (a), has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy. 
 
8/29/2019
Executive Director