BOARD DATE: 31 July 2014 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130021109 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 correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show his date of birth (DOB) as 6  vice 20 . 2. The applicant states his DOB is incorrectly listed on his DD Form 214. 3. The applicant provides his DD Form 214, a certified copy of his birth record, and a standard certificate of birth. 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 his 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. The applicant's DD Form 214 shows he was inducted into the Army of the United States and entered active duty on 21 January 1954. A copy of his induction record is not available for review with this case. 4. He was honorably released from active duty on 20 January 1956. Item 10 (DOB) of his DD Form 214 shows the entry "20 Nov 35" (20 ). 5. He submitted a birth certificate and a certified copy of birth record listing an individual with a similar name who was born on 6 1936. 6. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) serves as the authority for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It provides that the DD Form 214 will be prepared to reflect an individual's service as it exists on the date of release from active duty or discharge. It is important that the information listed on this form is accurate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's induction record is not available for review with this case. It is unclear what DOB he used upon entering active duty. However, his reconstructed record contains a copy of a duly-constituted DD Form 214 that shows his DOB as "20 ." In the absence of his military records or at least his induction document, it is presumed that the DOB shown on his DD Form 214 is correct. 2. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records. In this regard, the information contained therein should reflect the conditions/circumstances that existed at the time the records were created and under which the military service was performed. Therefore, absent convincing independent and verifiable evidence to the contrary, it is presumed that his military service records, including the DD Form 214, were correct at the time and there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for changing his DOB. 3. Nevertheless, a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his service record in order to provide clarity and to deal with any confusion that might arise regarding the different DOB he claims is correct. Filing the Board's decisional document will also guarantee the historical accuracy of the applicant's military record regarding the DOB under which he served. 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) AR20130021109 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130021109 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1