Search Decisions

Decision Text

ARMY | BCMR | CY2012 | 20120007063
Original file (20120007063.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

		IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:  2 October 2012

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20120007063 


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, the son of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests correction of his father's DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show the rank of sergeant (SGT) vice corporal (CPL).

2.  The applicant states he would like the correction so the proper burial stone can be placed at his father's grave.  His father's DD Form 214 doesn't reflect his years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) or that he was promoted to SGT.

3.  The applicant provides the FSM's DD Form 214, three certificates, three letters, and orders.

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.  The FSM's military records are not available for review.  A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973.  It is believed that the FSM's records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  However, the applicant provided the FSM's DD Form 214 which is sufficient for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.

3.  The FSM's DD Form 214 shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States and entered active service on 10 July 1953 at Newark, NJ.  He held military occupational specialty 812 (Pole Lineman Instructor).  He was promoted to the rank of CPL (Temporary (T)) on 24 November 1954.

4.  He was honorably released from active duty on 3 June 1955 at Camp Gordon, GA, and transferred to the USAR.  He completed 1 year, 10 months, and 24 days of creditable active service. 

5.  Item 3 (Grade-Rate-Rank and Date of Appointment) of the DD Form 214 the FSM was issued contains the entry "CPL (T) - 24 November 1954."

6.  The applicant provides an Honorable Discharge Certificate, dated 30 June 1961, wherein it shows the FSM was discharged from the USAR on that date in the rank of SGT.

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.  It states 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 AND CONCLUSIONS:

The evidence of record shows the FSM held the rank of CPL at the time he was released from active duty on 3 June 1955, which is correctly shown on his DD Form 214.  The DD Form 214 is a record of the Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty service.  It does not reflect service in the USAR.  There are no provisions for correcting the DD Form 214 to show a rank a Soldier held after he was released from active duty.  Therefore, the applicant is not entitled to the requested relief.
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)                                         AR20120007063





3


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20120007063



3


ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

 RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


1

Similar Decisions

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140000694

    Original file (20140000694.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant requests correction of the records of his deceased father, a former service member (FSM), to show he retired in the rank/pay grade of master sergeant (MSG)/E-8. These orders show the FSM's rank as M/Sgt and pay grade as E-7. The evidence of record clearly shows the FSM was promoted to the rank of M/Sgt in pay grade E-7 effective 11 September 1956.

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140000694

    Original file (20140000694 .txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant requests correction of the records of his deceased father, a former service member (FSM), to show he retired in the rank/pay grade of master sergeant (MSG)/E-8. These orders show the FSM's rank as M/Sgt and pay grade as E-7. The evidence of record clearly shows the FSM was promoted to the rank of M/Sgt in pay grade E-7 effective 11 September 1956.

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110004462

    Original file (20110004462.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The FSM's military records are not available to the Board for review. He was separated in the rank of CPL. There is no evidence the FSM was again advanced to or served in the rank of SGT prior to his discharge.

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2009 | 20090014068

    Original file (20090014068.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    Application for correction of military records (with supporting documents provided, if any). His 22 March 1950 DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) shows he was discharged as a sergeant (SGT) with a date of rank of 31 August 1948. In the absence of error or injustice, there is no basis to grant the applicant’s request to restore his father’s rank because the applicant believes his father’s reduction was a result of alcohol addiction.

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140009876

    Original file (20140009876.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant's complete military records are not available to the Board for review. Item 3 of the DD Form 214 shows the grade and date of rank of the grade held at the time of separation. _____________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.

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2006 | 20060008733C070205

    Original file (20060008733C070205.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

    THE APPLICANT'S REQUEST, STATEMENT, AND EVIDENCE: 1. The applicant states, in effect, that the FSM’s DD Form 214, dated 30 September 1955, shows his rank as "SFC" but his retired pay account statement shows "SSG." The FSM's Military records contain a copy of a DD Form 424 (Certification of Information for Retired Pay), dated 2 September 1955, which shows the rank and grade in which he retired was "SFC (E-6)."

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2014 | 20140005575

    Original file (20140005575.txt) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant's complete military records are not available to the Board for review. Item 3 of the DD Form 214 shows the grade and date of rank of the grade held at the time of separation. The evidence of record shows the applicant served on active duty from 4 October 1954 to 24 September 1957.

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2011 | 20110015375

    Original file (20110015375.txt) Auto-classification: Approved

    He then completed a second period of active service as a commissioned officer and he was honorably released from active duty on 16 October 1953 in the grade/rank as 2LT/O-1. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by: * awarding the FSM the Ranger Tab * adding to Item 27 of his DD Form 214 for the period ending 16 October 1953 the: * Parachutist Badge * Ranger Tab * issuing the FSM an Honorable Discharge Certificate...

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2002 | 2002070198C070402

    Original file (2002070198C070402.rtf) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein. Army Regulation 635-5 prescribes the separation documents that are prepared for individuals upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. 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:

  • ARMY | BCMR | CY2005 | 20050000345C070206

    Original file (20050000345C070206.doc) Auto-classification: Denied

    The applicant’s military records are not available to the Board for review. Item 3 (Grade) shows he held the rank of SP2 (T) on the date of his separation. The evidence of record confirms the applicant held the pay grade E-5 and corresponding rank of SP2 at the time of his separation from active duty.