IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 30 July 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150000478 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 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show the correct spelling of his first name. 2. The applicant states that his DD Form 214 incorrectly reflects the spelling of his first name. 3. The applicant provides copies of his DD Form 214, birth certificate and Social Security verification. 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 was inducted on 14 January 1966 using the first name that is reflected on his DD Form 214 and he signed all of the documents in his official records using the same spelling of his first name. He also completed documents in his own handwriting using the same spelling. 3. He completed his training and served a 1-year tour in Vietnam and was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) at Oakland Army Base, California on 22 December 1967. His DD Form 214 issued at the time of his REFRAD shows the same first name under which he performed all of his service. Additionally, he signed the DD Form 214 with the same spelling. 4. The applicant now provides a copy of his birth certificate showing the spelling of his first name as “Carrel.” 5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) serves as the authority for preparation of the DD Form 214. It provides that the DD Form 214 will be prepared to reflect information as it exists in the official records at the time of separation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. At the time the applicant was inducted his first name was entered in his records as it is reflected on his DD Form 214 and he has not offered any explanation as to why he served under this first name. Therefore, there is an insufficient evidentiary basis for granting the applicant's requested relief. 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 his correct first name as shown on his birth certificate 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 will be filed in his official records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the first name recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his first name as shown on his birth certificate documented in his official records. 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) AR20150000478 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150000478 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1