Here's a sample letter to the Bureau of Naval Personnel requesting missing medals. This is essentially the actual letter I wrote, modified mostly to remove my personal identifying info.
Sample Letter
(name)
(street)
(city, state, zip)
(date)
Bureau of Naval Personnel
Liaison Office Room 5409
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
Re: DD214 Correction Request
Veteran (name)
Service number (number)
SSN (number)
Date of birth (date)
I have attached a copy of my DD214 that I received upon discharge from active duty. Based on my
review of OPNAV NOTICE 1650, dated 18 September 2002, it appears that the list of medals and awards
in section 24 of my DD214 is incomplete.
I served two tours in Vietnam. I was with MSTS Office Saigon from May 1966 to May 1967 and was
aboard the USS Newport News CA-148 during her first deployment to Vietnam from September 1967 to
May 1968.
In addition to the medals listed on my DD214, I read OPNAV NOTICE 1650 to say the following awards
also apply to me.
For my service with MSTS Office Saigon from May 1966 to May 1967:
* Navy Unit Commendation awarded to MSTS Office RVN for the period 15 Apr 1965 to 30 Sep 1968.
* Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm) awarded to all Navy
personnel who served "in country" Vietnam for the period 8 Feb 1962 to 28 Mar 1973.
* Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Civil Actions Medal, First Class Color with Palm)
awarded to all Navy personnel who served "in country" Vietnam for the period 1 Jan 1965 to 28 Mar
1973.
For my service aboard USS Newport News CA-148 during her first deployment to Vietnam from
September 1967 to May 1968:
* Combat Action Ribbon awarded to USS Newport News CA-148 for 13 separate operations for the
period 11 Oct 1967 to 16 Apr 1968.
* Navy Unit Commendation awarded to USS Newport News CA-148 for the period 02 Oct 1967 to 26
Apr 1968.
* Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Medal with Palm) awarded to USS
Newport News CA-148 for 7 separate operations for the period 19 Dec 1967 to 17 Apr 1968.
Please provide me with:
1. An amended DD214 showing all awards for which I am entitled,
2. Replacement medals and ribbons for those awards, and
3. Any available copies of unit citations or individual letters of commendation.
