BOARD DATE: 17 December 2013 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20130007040 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 and middle names be changed on his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge). 2. The applicant states: * the first name and middle name are reversed on his DD Form 214 * his first name is Larry and his middle name is Jesse 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 DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History), dated 19 April 1966, and his record of induction show the: * First name Jessy * Middle name Larry 3. He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 22 April 1966. He served as a combat engineer in Vietnam and he was honorably released on 19 April 1968. 4. Item 1 (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name) of his DD Form 214 shows the: * First name Jessy * Middle name Larry 5. His service personnel records show the first name Jessy and the middle name Larry. 6. He provides a birth certificate which shows his first name as Larry and his middle name as Jesse. 7. 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 DD Form 398, induction record, and service personnel records show the first name Jessy and middle name Larry. It appears he appropriately served on and was released from active duty in the name of Jessy Larry. 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 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 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) AR20130007040 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20130007040 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1