Complex sentence: Boorda had removed the two ribbon devices on his uniform almost a year before he died and was generally perceived as having made a good faith error in believing he was authorized to wear the devices, as opposed to an intentional effort to be deceptive.
Split into simpler sentences: Boorda had removed the two ribbon devices and wore his uniform without the devices almost a year before he died. Boorda was generally perceived as having made a good faith error in believing he was authorized to wear the devices, as opposed to an intentional effort to be deceptive.