IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 18 December 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140008182 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 the records of his father, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to show his date of birth (DOB) as 17 February instead of 17 September. 2. The applicant states that the FSM’s records incorrectly reflect his DOB as 17 September instead of 17 February. 3. The applicant provides copies of the FSM’s WD AGO Form 0150-4 (Transcript from Enlisted Record), birth certificate, death certificate, and Power of Attorney. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The FSM's military records are not available for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed the FSM's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, the documents provided by the applicant are sufficient to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 2. The FSM was inducted on 18 January 1943 and entered active duty on 25 January 1943. 3. He was honorably discharged on 18 January 1946. His WD AGO Form 0150-4 reflects his DOB as 17 September 1923. 4. The applicant has not provided and the available records do not contain the FSM’s WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge). 5. The birth certificate provided by the applicant indicates that his DOB is 17 February 1923. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. Based on the available evidence, it must be presumed that the FSM was inducted using a DOB of 17 September 1923 and he served under that DOB during his entire period of service. 2. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records. The data and information contained in those records should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created. In the absence of a showing of material error or injustice, there is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed. While it is understandable the applicant desires to now change the FSM’s DOB in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date. 3. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in the FSM’s official military personnel file (OMPF). This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the DOB recorded in the FSM’s military record and to satisfy his desire to have the correct DOB documented in the FSM’s records. Accordingly, there is no basis for granting the applicant's requested relief. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x____ ___x____ ____x___ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. 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. 2. The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the FSM in service to the United States during World War II. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms. ___________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) AR20140008182 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140008182 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1