IN THE CASE OF:
BOARD DATE: 2 May 2013
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120018573
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 that his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) be corrected to show his correct date of birth (DOB) as 10 May 1929.
2. The applicant states that he was told that he was born on the 9th of May; however, when he recently saw his birth certificate he saw that his DOB was actually the 10th.
3. The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214 and his birth certificate.
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'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 the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, the documents contained in a reconstructed record are sufficient to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.
3. The applicant was inducted on 6 March 1951. He completed his training as a construction equipment operator at Fort Belvoir, Virginia and served in Korea during two campaigns. He was advanced to the rank of private first class on
18 January 1952.
4. On 6 March 1953, he was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) and was transferred to the Enlisted Reserve Corps (now known as the U.S. Army Reserve). His DD Form 214 issued at the time of his REFRAD shows his DOB as 9 May 1929.
5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) serves as the authority for preparation of the DD Form 214. It provides that the DD Form 214 will be prepared to reflect information as it exists in the official records at the time of separation.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. At the time the applicant was inducted, his DOB was reflected in his records as 9 May 1929. By the applicants own admission he thought his DOB was
9 May 1929 and he has now discovered that it is 10 May 1929. However, the regulation governing the preparation of the DD Form 214 provides that information will be reflected on the DD Form 214 as it is reflected in official records at the time the individual served. Therefore, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant's requested relief.
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 DOB as shown on his birth certificate in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records at this late date.
3. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his official records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the DOB recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his DOB as shown on his birth certificate documented in his official records.
BOARD VOTE:
________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF
________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING
____x___ ____x___ ____x____ DENY APPLICATION
BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:
1. 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.
2. The Board wants the applicant and all others concerned to know that this action in no way diminishes the sacrifices made by the applicant in service to the United States during the Korean War. The applicant and all Americans should be justifiably proud of his service in arms.
___________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) AR20120018573
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120018573
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