| Mr. Carl W. S. Chun | Director | |
| Mrs. Nancy Amos | Analyst |
| Mr. George D. Paxson | Chairperson | |
| Mr. Walter T. Morrison | Member | |
| Mr. Richard T. Dunbar | Member |
APPLICANT REQUESTS: That his Report of Separation, WD AGO Form 53-55,
be amended to show his first name as Peter and his military occupational specialty (MOS) as Cannoneer, 610.
APPLICANT STATES: That the Commonwealth of Massachusetts legally changed his first name and that he was a cannoneer with the 3d Battalion, 115th Infantry Regiment, anti-tank platoon. He provides his WD AGO Form 53-55, his Honorable Discharge Certificate, and the court order changing his first name as supporting evidence.
EVIDENCE OF RECORD: The applicant's military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire in 1973. Information contained herein was obtained from alternate sources.
The applicant was inducted into the Army on 8 April 1943 and entered active duty on 15 April 1943. He separated on 21 January 1946. His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows his first name as Suran and his MOS as Postal Clerk, 056.
On 17 November 1960, the Probate Court in the County of Middlesex, Commonwealth of Massachusetts changed the applicant’s first name from Souran (sic) to Peter.
Army Regulation 635-5 is the current regulation that prescribes the separation documents prepared for soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service. 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. At the time, Technical Manual 12-235 provided similar guidance for the preparation of the WD AGO Form 53-55.
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. Although the applicant legally changed his first name from Suran to Peter in 1960, it appears he appropriately served on and was released from active duty under the first name Suran. While the Board understands his desire to have the records changed, it finds no basis for compromising the integrity of the Army’s records. This Board action will be filed in his military records so a record of his legal name change will be on hand.
3. The applicant’s records have been lost or destroyed and he provides no other evidence to show that his MOS was Cannoneer instead of Postal Clerk.
4. 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
__gdp___ __wtm___ __rtd___ DENY APPLICATION
| CASE ID | AR2001062662 |
| SUFFIX | |
| RECON | |
| DATE BOARDED | 20020124 |
| TYPE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DATE OF DISCHARGE | |
| DISCHARGE AUTHORITY | |
| DISCHARGE REASON | |
| BOARD DECISION | (DENY) |
| REVIEW AUTHORITY | |
| ISSUES 1. | 100.01 |
| 2. | 100.05 |
| 3. | |
| 4. | |
| 5. | |
| 6. |
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002072937C070403
The applicant’s submission of a third party statement is new evidence and/or argument that requires Board consideration. Thus, the Board concludes it would be appropriate to grant the requested relief and to correct the record accordingly. of the WD AGO Form 53-55 of the individual concerned to read “Cannoneer - 1602” vice Postal Clerk - 056, as is currently listed; by awarding him the Bronze Star Medal for his exemplary service in ground combat between 14 July 1944 and 2 September 1945 ;...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2008 | 20080002818
The FSM's reconstructed military records show he enlisted in the Army National Guard on 15 July 1940 for 3 years. The evidence shows that when the FSM enlisted, the entry for Arm or Service was recorded as Field Artillery. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: a. showing the awards of the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with two campaign stars, World War II Victory Medal, and WWII...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002075788C070403
The Board considered the following evidence: The applicant requests reconsideration of his previous application to correct his military records by awarding him the Purple Heart. The Board notes that the applicant is also entitled to award of the Bronze Star Medal based on award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show this award.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2003 | 2003086804C070212
The applicant requests that his WD AGO Form 53-55 be amended to add the Army Commendation Ribbon (currently designated the Army Commendation Medal) and to show his date of birth as 26 March 1926. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states that the Army Commendation Medal was established by War Department Circular 377, 18 December 1945. That the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 be amended to add the Army Commendation Medal, to show he is authorized to wear one silver service star on the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2015 | 20150003542
The FSM served a period of qualifying service for award of the World War II Victory Medal; however, this award is not listed on the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending the FSM's WD AGO Form 53-55 to show he was awarded or authorized the World War II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002068154C070402
The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein. The dates of his assignments to those units cannot be determined by the available evidence. His records also show that he served with the 3339 th QM Truck Company and while his records do not depict the exact dates of his assignment with that unit, the Board must presume in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that what the Army did in his case was correct.
ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110020947
The applicant requests correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) to: * change item 6 (Organization) from "Company A, 159th Infantry" to "Cannon Company, 142nd Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division" * add the following awards, battles, or campaigns: * one arrowhead device * Salerno * Anzio * Bulge (i.e., Ardennes-Alsace) 2. The primary record available to this Board is the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55. As a result, the Board...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2007 | 20070012288
Evidence of record shows that the FSM was an infantryman assigned to an infantry unit during World War II and that he was twice wounded in action. Therefore, there is sufficient evidence that he is entitled to award of the Combat Infantryman Badge and correction of his records to show this award. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by awarding the FSM the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Bronze Star Medal based...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2013 | 20130012042
The applicant requests correction of his WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) to show his first name as "Lionel" instead of "Lyinel" and his last name as "F_r__t" and instead of "F_rr_t." 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. The...
ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002075955C070403
The applicant requests correction of his records to show the correct spelling of his last name and to show his correct date of birth. The Board considered the applicant's request to correct the spelling of his last name from G------s to G------z. Therefore, the Board determined that the applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 should be corrected to show his birth date as 20 November 1923.