MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:   

	BOARD DATE:           2 November 2000                   
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2000043829

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the record of consideration of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mrs. Nancy Amos		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Fred N. Eichorn		Chairperson	
	Mr. Ted S. Kanamine		Member	
	Mr. William D. Barr		Member	

	The Board, established pursuant to authority contained in 10 U.S.C. 1552, convened at the call of the Chairperson on the above date.  In accordance with Army Regulation 15-185, the application and the available military records pertinent to the corrective action requested were reviewed to determine whether to authorize a formal hearing, recommend that the records be corrected without a formal hearing, or to deny the application without a formal hearing if it is determined that insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of probable material error or injustice.

	The applicant requests correction of military records as stated in the application to the Board and as restated herein.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	            advisory opinion, if any)

APPLICANT REQUESTS:  That his records be corrected to show his name as W___ W___ S___, Jr.

APPLICANT STATES:  That his correct name is W___ W___ S___, Jr.  It is not W___ S___, Jr.  This is the way his name is shown on his Social Security records and he would like both names to match to avoid any identity problems with the Government now or in the future.  His name as shown on his discharge papers is a fairly common name in his area.  He provides as supporting evidence a copy of a letter dated 2 June 2000 from the Social Security Administration (SSA) showing he applied for a Social Security card.

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records were lost or destroyed in the National Personnel Records Center fire in 1973.  The information contained herein was obtained from alternate sources.

The applicant was inducted into the Army on 9 August 1943 and separated on    3 March 1946.  His Enlisted Record and Report of Separation, WD AGO Form 53-55, lists his name as W___ S___, Jr.  The applicant signed the WD AGO Form 53-55 W___ S___, Jr.

Technical Manual 12-235, in effect at the time, provided a complete outline of procedures to be followed in effecting the discharge of enlisted personnel for any cause and described the proper method of executing the various forms required. In pertinent part it stated that all entries on the WD AGO Form 53-55 except items 39 and 43 were to apply only to the current period of active duty.

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:

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.  The only evidence provided by the applicant is a letter from the SSA dated      2 June 2000 wherein they acknowledge his request for a Social Security card bearing the name W___ W___ S___, Jr.  His birth certificate is not available.  His induction documents are not available which could verify the name under which he entered the Army.  The applicant signed the WD AGO Form 53-55 W___ S___, Jr.  In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the Board presumes that he entered and served in the Army under this name.  While the Board understands the applicant’s desire to have the records changed, it finds no basis for compromising the integrity of the Army’s records.
3.  In view of the foregoing, there is no basis for granting the applicant's request.

DETERMINATION:  The applicant has failed to submit sufficient relevant evidence to demonstrate the existence of probable error or injustice.

BOARD VOTE:

________  ________  ________  GRANT

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

__fne___  __tsk___  __wdb___  DENY APPLICATION

		    Carl W. S. Chun
		    Director, Army Board for Correction
    of Military Records

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2000043829	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20001102	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(DENY)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.01	
2.		
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.