BOARD DATE: 2 August 2011 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20110001746 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 last name from “Co----” to “Cu----.” 2. She states that the FSM’s records show the incorrect spelling of his last name. She contends that his last name is spelled “Cu----,” not “Co----.” 3. She provides the FSM’s: * Nebraska identification card * father’s social security card and driver’s license * brother's DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from Active Duty) * Certificate of Death CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The FSM enlisted in the Regular Army on 17 August 1976. 2. The FSM's record contains a DD Form 1966 (Application for Enlistment - Armed Forces of the United States), dated 16 August 1976. This form shows in: a. Section I, (Personal Data), block 1 (Name (Last, first, middle) the entry "Co---- W----- M-----"; b. Section IV (Other Background Data), block 28a (Relatives) the last name of his father, three sisters, and brother as “Co----”; and c. Section V (Certification), block 42 (By applicant: I understand …. I certify that the information given by me in this document is true, complete, and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief) that on 16 August 1976, he signed this document clearly using the last name of "Co----." 3. His record also contains a DD Form 4 (Enlistment or Reenlistment Agreement - Armed Forces of the United States), dated 17 August 1976. This document shows his last name as "Co----" and he signed this form in two blocks using the last name of "Co----." 4. All of the remaining documents in his service personnel records show the spelling of his last name as “Co----.” 5. The FSM was discharged on 15 December 1977. His DD Form 214, authenticated in his own hand, in item 1 (Last Name - First Name - Middle Name) shows the entry "Co---- W----- M-----." 6. The applicant provided a copy of the FSM’s Nebraska Identification Card and Certificate of Death. She also provides FSM’s father’s social security card and his brother's DD Form 214. All of these documents show the last name spelling as “Cu----.” 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. In pertinent part it states that 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: 1. The documents provided by the applicant confirm the FSM’s, his father's, and his brother's last name as “Cu----.” However, the preponderance of evidence shows the FSM served in and he was separated from active service using the spelling of his last name as “Co----.” 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 the FSM's correct spelling of his last name 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 along with her application and the supporting evidence she provided, which confirms the FSM's correct spelling of his last name, will be filed in the FSM's Official Military Personnel File (OMPF). This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the spelling of the last name in the FSM's military record and to satisfy the applicant's desire to have the FSM's correct spelling of his last name documented in his OMPF. 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) AR20110001746 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20110001746 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1