MEMORANDUM OF CONSIDERATION

	IN THE CASE OF:      

	BOARD DATE:           9 July 2002                  
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2002067343

	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	
	Ms. Stephanie Thompkins		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Ms. Joann H. Langston 		Chairperson	
	Mr. Thomas B. Redfern, III		Member	
	Mr. Roger W. Able		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:  Correction to his first name in his military records.

APPLICANT STATES:  That his first name is incorrectly spelled, it should be Shearman and not Sherman.  He submits no explanation for the error; however, he submits a copy of his birth certificate and his social security card that show his first name spelled as Shearman in support of his request.  

EVIDENCE OF RECORD:  The applicant's military records show:

He was inducted into the Army of the United States for 2 years as a private, pay grade E-1, on 9 January 1969.  He attained the rank of pay grade E-2 on 22 June 1971.

He was honorably separated in pay grade E-2 for the expiration of term of service on 7 December 1971.  He was transferred to the USAR Control Group (Annual Training.)

He was honorably discharged from the USAR effective 1 January 1975 based on expiration of his obligated service.

His entire official military personnel file shows his first name spelled as Sherman, and that he signed his name as such.  However, the applicant provided a copy of his Birth Certificate, which was filed on 8 April 1949 in St. Louis City, Missouri, and his social security card, which show his first name as Shearman.

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.  The applicant’s records are correct and need not be changed.  In his case, the records reflect the correct name used at the time of his induction and throughout his military service.

2.  For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records.  The data contained in those records should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created.

3.  In the absence of showing error or injustice, those records should not be changed.

4.  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.  However, this document will be filed in his official military records.

5.  In order to justify correction of a military record the applicant must show to the satisfaction of the Board, or it must otherwise satisfactorily appear, that the record is in error or unjust.  The applicant has failed to submit evidence that would satisfy this requirement.

6.  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

_JHL___  _TBR____  _RWA__    DENY APPLICATION

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

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2002067343	
SUFFIX		
RECON		
DATE BOARDED	20020709	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE		
DATE OF DISCHARGE		
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY		
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	DENY	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	100.00	
2.	100.01	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.