BOARD DATE: 17 November 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150006259 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 his first name as "Lorenza" instead of "Alonza." 2. The applicant states, in effect, his first name is incorrect. 3. The applicant provides: * DD Form 214 * Standard Certificate of Live Birth * Affidavit to Amend Record 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 was inducted into the Army of the United States on 5 May 1967. His DD Form 47 (Record of Induction) listed his first name as "Alonza." 3. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record), which was created upon his entry on active duty, listed his first name as "Alonza." He signed this form using this first name. 4. His records contain multiple documents that listed his first name as "Alonza." He authenticated some of these documents with his signature using the first name "Alonza." * Organizational Clothing and Equipment Record * Induction Special Orders Number 91 * Acknowledgement of Service Obligations * Release from Active Duty Orders * Installation Clearance Record * U.S. Army Request for National Agency Check * Armed Forces Security Questionnaire 5. He was honorably released from active duty on 4 December 1968 and he was assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve Control Group (Reinforcement) to complete his remaining service obligation 6. Item 1 (Last Name-First Name-Middle Name) of his DD Form 214 listed his first name as "Alonza." He authenticated this form with his signature using this first name. 7. He provides: a. Standard Certificate of Live Birth, filed with the local registrar on 28 September 1947. It lists the name of a child who was born on the same date as the applicant. The child's name is listed as "Low Render." b. An Affidavit to Amend Record of Birth, executed on 8 May 1967, that shows the parents of the individual listed in 7(a) above filed a name change from "Low Render" to "Lorenza." 8. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) establishes the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The regulation directs, in pertinent part, that the purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service. It is important that information entered on the form should be complete and accurate. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The evidence of record shows the applicant used the first name "Alonza" when he was first inducted into the Army of the United States. This first name is consistent with the first name on all official military records created throughout his military service. He authenticated several forms that contain this name. He did not use the first name he now claims (Lorenza) during his military service. 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 a different first 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. Absent convincing, independent, and verifiable evidence to the contrary, it is presumed that his military service record, including the DD Form 214, were correct at the time. There is an insufficient evidentiary basis to change the first name listed on his DD Form 214. 4. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his service record. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the first name recorded in his military record and the first name he now uses. 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) AR20150006259 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150006259 4 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1