IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 February 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140012111 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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show his date of birth (DOB) as "13 April XXXX" instead of "15 April XXXX." 2. The applicant states his correct DOB is "13 April XXXX." 3. The applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214 and birth certificate. CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. Title 10, U.S. Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) to excuse an applicant’s failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. While it appears the applicant did not file within the time frame provided in the statute of limitations, the ABCMR has elected to conduct a substantive review of this case and, only to the extent relief, if any, is granted, has determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant’s failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing. 2. His military records are not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members’ records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed his records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, his DD Form 214 and birth certificate are sufficient for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 3. His DD Form 214 shows he enlisted in the Regular Army on 20 October 1953. He served in military occupational specialty 911.10 (Medical Aidman). 4. He was honorably discharged on 6 October 1956, after completing 5 years and 7 months of total active service. Item 6 (DOB) of his DD Form 214 shows his DOB as "15 April XXXX." 5. He provides a copy of his birth certificate issued on 15 August 1958, which shows his DOB as "13 April XXXX." DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. His request for correction of his DD Form 214 to show another DOB was carefully considered. 2. He provides a copy of his birth certificate that shows his DOB as "13 April XXXX"; however, since his service records are not available, it is unclear what DOB he enlisted and served under. 3. 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 that he desires to now record his correct 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. 4. Therefore, lacking convincing independent and verifiable evidence to the contrary, it is presumed that the applicant’s DD Form 214 was correct at the time, and there is insufficient evidence to grant the requested relief in this case. 5. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his reconstructed record. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in information recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have the correct information documented in his record. 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) AR20110013418 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140012111 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1