Ronald H Cates FOIA navy records

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

The Official Military Personnel File (OMPF) for Ronald Howell Cates including Form DD-214, all Fitness Report and Counseling forms NAVPERS Form 1610/2, NAVPERS forms 1610/1, Enlisted performance evaluation reports, administrative remarks, Cumulative Record of Training (NAVPERS Form 5300/16), history of assignments NAVPERS 1070/605, dates of promotions, Navy Training History NAVPERS form 601-4, all military decoration and full award citations, all military education/training courses.

Ronald H Cates served in the US Navy as enlisted and commissioned officer, approximate service dates 1974 to 1998. Date of birth August 22, 1950. Date Deceased 19 Jul 2015. Reference - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149672104/ronald-howell-cates
Awards include joint service commendation medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy good conduct medal, combat action ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Expert Rifleman Medal and other decorations. Please redact any sensitive information protected by Privacy Act of 1974.
NPRC search unable to locate the OMPF file, advised to contact Navy Personnel Command for information such as military service number or NPRC registry. Please assist locating the records.

Please note: I represent general public and thus do not know the military service number. I also request that, if appropriate, fees be waived as I believe this request is in the public interest. His distinguished military service is of public concern. The requested documents will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press.

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.

Sincerely,

Eric Bradley

Freedom of Information Act - National Personnel Records Center

Veteran Name
Ronald Cates
Enlisted in the United States Navy on July 24, 1974. Completed Mineman Class A School 14 weeks February 1975. Served with Mobile Mine Assembly Group Carrier, Charleston, SC from Feb 1975 to Sept 1978. Rating MNSN to MN3. RECEIVED FOR DUTY UNDER INSTRUCTION RECDUINS NAB Coronado, Student 10 September 1978. Completed BASIC UNDERWATER DEMOLITION/SEAL TRAINING BUD/S Class 101, 30 March 1979. Attended Basic Airborne Training "Jump School" 3 wks, Fort Bragg, NC, May 1979. Qualified Navy Enlisted Classification NEC 5320 Basic UDT Swimmer, NEC 5326 Combatant Swimmer (SEAL), Navy SEAL. Received orders to UNDERWATER DEMOLITION TEAM TWENTY ONE UDT-21, NAB Little Creek, 21 May 1979 to 6 OCT 1980. Deployed on USS Ponce (LPD-15) from February to April 1980. Reenlisted May 1980. RECDUT SEAL TEAM SIX PLANKOWNER, founding member ST6, 6 October 1980 to 1 October 1984. Completed Special Forces Qualification Course Phase II Weapons 11 Wks, Special Forces Qualification Course Phase II Demolitions 4 Wks, Special Forces Military Freefall Parachutist Course 30 June 1982 Fort Bragg, NC. Operation URGENTY FURY October 1983, Grenada. Rating BM2, BM1. Reenlisted REENL 23 April 1984. RECTEMDUINS NAVDIVESALVTRACEN Oct 1984 to Jan 1985. Completed Second Class Diver training 12 weeks. RECTEMDUINS EOD DET REDSTONE ARSENAL Feb 1985. RECDUINS NAVSCOLEOD INDIAN HEAD, MD 24 Feb 1985 to 1 November 1985. Completed Navy Explosive Ordinance Disposal Basic Course EOD 34 weeks, October 1985 . Assigned EODMU2 Fort Story Nov 85 to March 86. RECDUT Received for Duty Naval Security Coordination Team 25 March 1986 to 5 February 1988. RECDUT SEAL TEAM SIX-Naval Special Warfare Development Group COMNAVSPECWARDEVGRU from 8 February 1988 to 5 September 1989. RECDUT Naval Security Coordination Team, September 1989 to 7 February 1992. Reenlisted 12 February 1991. Assigned to NAVSPECWARCEN DET LITTLE CREEK, NAB LCRK from February 1992 to March 1995. Retired from Active Duty March 31, 1995. 20 years of Naval Service. BMCS Senior Chief Boatswain's Mate E-8.
Awards/Decorations include Navy Commendation Medal with Gold Star, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Uni Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expert Rifleman Medal, Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal, SEAL BREAST Insignia, Naval Parachutist Badge, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Badge, Enlisted surface warfare specialist insignia.

"Plankowner" is an individual who was a member of the original crew of a ship or unit when it was placed in commission. The name stems from tradition that the original crew would receive wooden deck planking as part of the vessel.

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in the presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to

CHIEF BOATSWAIN'S MATE RONALD H. CATES

UNITED STATES NAVY

for service as set forth in the following
Citation:

For meritorious achievement from March 1986 through February 1988 while attached to the Naval Security Coordination Team, Indian Head, Maryland. Chief Petty Officer Cates exceptional professionalism, dedication to excellence, and willingness to put Navy needs first
contributed measurably to the increased terrorism awareness prevalent in the U.S. Navy today. Realizing that bombing is the most commonly employed terrorist tactic, he initiated liaison with the FBI Bomb Data Center and non-Department of Defense intelligence agencies, researched terrorist bomb data information, and formed the command's Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) Department. He personally pioneered the development of complex, realistic IED's which have become a learning hallmark of Naval Security Coordination Team exercises. His diligent efforts, initiative, and dedication to excellence inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of the command's mission. By his exceptional professionalism and selfless devotion, Chief Petty Officer Cate's upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

For the Secretary of the Navy

E. W. CLEXTON, JR.
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy
Deputy and Chief of Staff, U.S. Atlantic Fleet

The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in the presenting the NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL to

SENIOR CHIEF BOATSWAIN'S MATE
RONALD HOWELL CATES
UNITED STATES NAVY

for service as set forth in the following
Citation:

For meritorious service while serving as Naval Special Warfare Long Range Maritime Operations Course Manager, Training Officer, and Training Safety Officer at Naval Special Warfare Center Detachment Little Creek from February 1992 to March 1995. Senior Chief Cate's performed his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. Demonstrating superb leadership, exceptional technical expertise, and unparalleled resourcefulness, he established the principle curricula for the Long Range Maritime Operations Course and assumed management responsibility of the detachment's training and training safety programs. In addition, he was directly responsible for preparing and guiding the detachment through an exhaustive inspection which directly contributed to the command receiving high marks on the Training Performance Evaluation Board Inspection. His diligent efforts and resourcefulness inspired all who observed him and contributed to the accomplishment of Naval Special Warfare Center Detachment Little Creek's mission. Senior Chief Cate's professionalism and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

For the Secretary,

R. C. SMITH
Rear Admiral, United States Navy
Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command

obituary https://web.archive.org/web/20200509051038/http://www.moodyfuneralhome.com/obituary/3252715