BOARD DATE: 29 July 2014
DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130017859
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 widow of a deceased former service member (FSM) requests correction of her husband's WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) to show his last name as Gxxxh instead of Gxxxk.
2. The applicant states his last name is shown as Gxxxk and should be Gxxxh.
3. The applicant provides copies of the FSM's birth certificate, death certificate, social security statement, and his WD AGO 53-55.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE:
1. 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, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.
2. The FSM was inducted into the Army of the United States on 22 August 1944. He was honorably separated on 30 August 1946by reason of demobilization.
3. All of the FSM's available military service records show he served under the last name "Gxxxk." The FSM signed his WD AGO Form 53-55; however, it cannot be determined if he signed using the last name of Gxxxk or Gxxxh.
4. There is no evidence in the available records that distinctly show the FSM performed military service under the last name of "Gxxxh."
5. The applicant provided the FSM's birth certificate, death certificate, and social security statement which show his last name as "Gxxxh."
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:
1. The FSM's available record show he used the last name "Gxxxk" throughout his military service and this name is properly recorded on his WD AGO 53-55.
2. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity 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.
3. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in the FSM's reconstructed military records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference between the name recorded on the FSM's WD AGO 53-55 and the name used on post-service documents.
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) AR20130017859
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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130017859
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