Docket No. 6693-20
Ref:   Signature Date                                                

From:  Chairman, Board for Correction of Naval Records 
To:    Secretary of the Navy 
 
Subj: REVIEW OF NAVAL RE 2954 
 
Ref: (a) 10 U.S.C. § 1552 
     (b) OSD/DOD Name Change Provisions/Guidance 
        
Encl: (1) DD Form 149 with attachments 
      (2) Case summary 
      (3) Subject's naval record 
 
1.  Pursuant to the provisions of reference (a), Subject, hereinafter referred to as Petitioner, filed enclosure (1) with the Board for Correction of Naval Records (Board),  requesting a change to his naval record, specifically, to correct the record to reflect a name change.     
 
2.  The Board, consisting of  reviewed Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice on 25 November 2020, and, pursuant to its regulations, determined that the corrective action indicated below should be taken on the available evidence of record.  Documentary material considered by the Board consisted of the enclosures, relevant portions of Petitioner’s naval records, and applicable statutes, regulations and policies. 
 
3.  The Board, having reviewed all the facts of record pertaining to Petitioner's allegations of error and injustice finds as follows: 
 
     a.  Before applying to this Board, Petitioner exhausted all administrative remedies available under existing law and regulations within the Department of the Navy. 
 
     b.  Although enclosure (1) was not filed in a timely manner, it is in the interest of justice to waive the statute limitation and review the application on its merits. 
 
     c.  Petitioner enlisted in the Navy on 9 September 1954, and served honorably until the expiration of his term of active obligated service and transferred to the Navy reserve on  
7 August 1958.  In this regard, Petitioner was issued a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) based on the name used while serving in the Navy, specifically, “”. 
  
    d.  At the time of Petitioner’s entry into the Navy, Petitioner’s legal name was “ ”  After Petitioner’s discharge from the Navy, on 4 October 1972, Petitioner legally changed his first name from ” to “.”  On  17 November 1972, Petitioner legally changed his last name from ” to .” 
 
CONCLUSION: 
 
Upon review and consideration of all the evidence of record, the Board concludes Petitioner’s request warrants favorable action. 
 
The Board noted Petitioner has provided legal evidence (specifically, the  ) supporting his request.  The Board found the legal actions taken by civilian authorities to change Petitioner’s name support a change to his DD Form 214 to reflect Petitioner’s legal name of .” 
 
In this regard, the Board noted that normally a DD Form 215 would be issued to correct the record; however, the Board concluded a new and updated DD Form 214 is warranted to eliminate the possibility of invasive questions.  The Board further concluded that no other changes should be made to Petitioner’s record, and that both the previously issued DD Form 214 bearing the name “.” and the new DD Form 214 bearing the name .” should remain in the record for historical purposes.  In accordance with the foregoing, the Board concluded the DD Form 214 should be corrected to reflect Petitioner’s legal name and that Petitioner be issued an updated DD Form 214. 
 
RECOMMENDATION: 
 
In view of the foregoing, the Board finds the existence of an error and injustice warranting the following corrective action: 
 
That Petitioner's naval record, specifically, Block 1 of the DD Form 214, be corrected to reflect the name “” instead of “.” 
 
That no further changes be made to the record. 
 
That a copy of this report of proceedings be filed in Petitioner’s naval record. 
  
4.  It is certified that a quorum was present at the Board's review and deliberations, and that the foregoing is a true and complete record of the Board's proceedings in the above-entitled matter. 
 
5.  Pursuant to the delegation of authority set out in Section 6(e) of the revised Procedures of the Board for Correction of Naval Records (32 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 723.6(e)), and  

having assured compliance with its provisions, it is hereby announced that the foregoing corrective action, taken under the authority of the reference, has been approved by the Board on behalf of the Secretary of the Navy.