RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 20 March 2008
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20070013808
I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.
Ms. Catherine C. Mitrano
Director
Mrs. Nancy L. Amos
Analyst
The following members, a quorum, were present:
Ms. Linda D. Simmons
Chairperson
Ms. Eloise C. Prendergast
Member
Mr. Donald L. Lewy
Member
The Board considered the following evidence:
Exhibit A - Application for correction of military records.
Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including advisory opinion, if any).
THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE:
1. The applicant requests that his first name on his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be changed.
2. The applicant states that when he entered the Army he understood that his first name was Henry. However, in 1994, when he applied for a birth certificate, he found that his true first name was actually Louis. He is concerned that after he dies his wife may have a difficult time with Department of Veterans Affairs benefits, such as placing his correct first name on his headstone.
3. The applicant provides a copy of his birth certificate and his DD Form 214.
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 applicants 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 applicants failure to timely file. In all other respects, there are insufficient bases to waive the statute of limitations for timely filing.
2. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army on 18 July 1960. His enlistment contract and all other documents in his records show his first name as Henry.
3. The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 6 July 1963. His DD Form 214 shows his first name as Henry.
4. The applicant provided a birth certificate that shows his first name as Louis.
5. 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 the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldiers 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 AND CONCLUSIONS:
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 applicants first name as listed on his birth certificate is Louis, he appropriately served on and was released from active duty under the first name Henry. While his desire to have the records changed is understandable, he has provided no basis for compromising the integrity of the Armys records. This Board action will be filed in his military records so a record of his first name as listed on his birth certificate will be on hand.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
__lds____ __ecp___ __dll___ 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.
__Linda D. Simmons____
CHAIRPERSON
INDEX
CASE ID
AR
SUFFIX
RECON
YYYYMMDD
DATE BOARDED
YYYYMMDD
TYPE OF DISCHARGE
(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)
DATE OF DISCHARGE
YYYYMMDD
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY
AR . . . . .
DISCHARGE REASON
BOARD DECISION
(NC, GRANT , DENY, GRANT PLUS)
REVIEW AUTHORITY
ISSUES 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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