IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 3 April 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130014168 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 his first name be changed on his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States). 2. The applicant states: * his first name is Ysa not Ike * due to his limited knowledge and resources, he did not know who to contact after he left the service * he is now 81 years old * he would like to have a correct DD Form 214 to assist in his funeral arrangements 3. The applicant provides: * Birth certificate * DD Form 214 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 applicant's 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 applicant's 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 complete military records are not available to the Board for review. A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel Records Center in 1973. It is believed that the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents remaining in a reconstructed record for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 3. His DD Form 214 shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States on 17 April 1953. He served as an anti-aircraft artillery crewman and he was honorably released on 6 April 1955. His separation orders show his first name is Ike. 4. Item 1 (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name) of his DD Form 214 shows the first name Ike. Item 48 (Signature of Person Being Separated) of his DD Form 214 shows a legible signature and the first name is Ike. 5. He provides a birth certificate which shows his first name as Ysa. 6. 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. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity 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, there is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed. 2. His separation orders and DD Form 214 show the first name Ike. It appears he appropriately served on and was released from active duty in the first name of Ike. While the applicant's desire to have the records changed is understandable, there is no basis for compromising the integrity of the Army's records, in particular, the applicant's DD Form 214. 3. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document, which confirms his correct first name, will be filed in his Army Military Human Resource Record (AMHRR). This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the names in his AMHRR and satisfy his desire to have his correct first name documented in his AMHRR. 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) AR20130014168 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130014168 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1