IN THE CASE OF:	

		BOARD DATE:	  14 APRIL 2009

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20080015524 


THE BOARD CONSIDERED THE FOLLOWING EVIDENCE:

1.  Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any).

2.  Military Personnel Records and advisory opinions (if any).


THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:

1.  The applicant requests that his military records be corrected to show his first name as S______ instead of J_____.

2.  The applicant states that he has a certified record of birth showing his correct name.

3.  The applicant provides a certified record of birth showing his original record of birth was amended on 13 July 2007 to change his first name to S______.

CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:

The applicant's military records show that he was inducted into the Army of the United States, on 17 May 1968, in the name of J_____.  He completed and signed all pertinent military documents as J_____, reenlisted on 20 April 1971 in the name of J_____, completed and signed all documents pertaining to his reenlistment period in the name of J_____, and was honorably released from active duty on 15 July 1974 in the name of J_____.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant’s contention that his military records should be corrected to show his first name as S______ instead of J_____ lacks merit.

2.  The Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records for historical purposes.  The data and information contained in those records should actually reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created.  In the absence of showing of material error or injustice no basis has been established to support the change requested.

3.  In the applicant's case the records reflect the correct name under which military service was performed.  The applicant changed his name 33 years after his discharge.  While the applicant's desire to have the records changed is understandable, the available evidence is not sufficient to grant the relief requested.

4.  A copy of the decisional document, along with the applicant’s application and enclosures will be filed in the applicant’s official military personnel file.  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the different last names.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT FULL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF 

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

___X____  ___X____  ___X___  DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice.  Therefore, the Board determined that the overall merits of this case are insufficient as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.




      _______ _X   _______   ___
               CHAIRPERSON
      
I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case.



ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080015524



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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20080015524



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