IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 1 December 2011
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110010982
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 his first name be changed to Jacob on his military records.
2. The applicant states he was never asked for a birth certificate when he was inducted.
3. The applicant provides:
* Birth certificate
* DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States)
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 applicants 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 that the applicants records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.
3. His DD Form 214 shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 11 January 1952. He served in Germany and was released from active duty on 9 December 1953 and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve to complete his remaining service obligation.
4. Item 1 (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name) of his DD Form 214 shows the first name Jack. Item 48 (Signature of Person Being Separated) of his DD Form 214 shows a legible signature with "Jack" as his first name.
5. The available records contain a medical record, dated 7 February 1952, which shows the first name Jack.
6. He provided a birth certificate which shows the first name Jacob.
7. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) 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 service. 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. The applicant's DD Form 214 and a service medical record show the first name Jack. It appears he appropriately served on and he was separated from active duty under the first name Jack.
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 record his correct first name in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Armys records at this late date.
3. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document, which confirms his correct first name, will be filed in his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the first name recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his correct first name documented in his OMPF.
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) AR20110010982
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110010982
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