| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mrs. Nancy Amos | Analyst |
| Mr. Walter T. Morrison | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Arthur A. Omartian | Member | |
| Mr. John T. Meixell | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: That his Report of Transfer or Discharge, DD Form 214, be corrected to list his race as Caucasian.
APPLICANT STATES: That the racial classification given him upon enlisting was an error. He is Hispanic, not black. Both his parents were Puerto Rican and Caucasian. He provides his Certification of Birth as supporting evidence.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records show:
He enlisted in the Regular Army on 25 September 1958. His Enlistment Record, DD Form 4, lists his race as “Negroid.” His Enlisted Qualification Record, DA Form 20, lists his race as “NEG.” All documents that list race list it as Negro except for two medical treatment documents that list his race as Caucasian. He separated on 25 September 1961. His DD Form 214 lists his race as “NEG.”
The Certification of Birth provided by the applicant does not list race. There is an application for identification card on file but it does not list race and no photo is attached.
Army Regulation 635-5 prescribes the separation documents prepared for soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It establishes standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. In pertinent part it states that the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement or discharge.
DISCUSSION: Considering all the evidence, allegations, and information presented by the applicant, together with the evidence of record, applicable law and regulations, it is concluded:
1. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records. 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 a showing of material error or injustice, this Board is reluctant to recommend that those records be changed.
2. The applicant’s DD Form 214 lists the same race that was listed on his DD Form 4 and on his DA Form 20. Only two, non-personnel documents listed his race as Caucasian. The Certification of Birth he provides does not list a race.
3. In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.
DETERMINATION: The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
__wtm___ __aao___ __jtm___ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001057867 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20010731 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (DENY) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 100.00 |
| 2. | |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
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