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

Docket No: 6035-19  
Ref: Signature Date  
From: Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records  
To:  Secretary of the Navy  

Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552 
Encl: (1) DD Form 149 

1.  Pursuant to the provisions of the reference, Petitioner, a former enlisted Sailor, filed the enclosure with this Board, requesting to be awarded the Vietnam Campaign Ribbon (VCR) and the Vietnam Service Medal (VSM). 

2.  Petitioner’s allegations of error and injustice on 6 January 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, as well as 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 29 March 1960.  On 20 March 1964, Petitioner was discharged with an honorable characterization of service. Petitioner asserts that on 11 April 1962, he was detached from in and sent to awaiting During that period, he flew from to and remained in approximately a month placing trail monitors.  After completion of the operation, he was sent to the 

c.  On 23 August 2019, BCNR requested the Navy Department Board of Decorations and Medals (NDBDM) provide an Advisory Opinion (AO) as to whether Petitioner is entitled to the VCR and/or the VSM.  On 11 September 2019, NDBDM responded that there was no evidence of any prior Service Headquarters’ determination regarding the awards and referred the matter to 
Records Management & Benefits Division (PERS-31).  On 5 November 2019, PERS-31 provided an AO that determined Petitioner was not eligible for either decoration; however, he is eligible for Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) -Vietnam based on service aboard from 10 to 21 September 1963.  On 14 November 2019, BCNR provided the AO to Petitioner to review and submit any additional information.  On 11 December 2019, Petitioner sent a rebuttal letter with his recollection of events and a copy of his NAVPERS 601-5 (History of Assignments). 

CONCLUSION 

Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board finds the existence of an injustice warranting partial relief. RECOMMENDATION In view of the above, the Board directs the following corrective action. Petitioner’s naval record be corrected by adding the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM) -Vietnam to Petitioner’s DD Form 21, Block 13. Petitioner be issued a new DD Form 214. 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 11 June 2018. 

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.