IN THE CASE OF:	  

		BOARD DATE:	  30 September 2014

		DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20140003743 


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 military record to show his correct date of birth (DOB).

2.  The applicant states both of his discharge documents should be corrected to show his correct DOB as listed on his Certificate of Baptism.

3.  The applicant provides copies of the following:

* Certificate Baptism
* WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge)

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 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 the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire.  This applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 is the primary document used in this case.

3.  The applicant's WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he enlisted in the Regular Army on 29 May 1946 and served until he was honorably discharged on 12 December 1946.  Item 10 (DOB) of his WD AGO Form 53-55 shows the entry "25 Jan 25."

4.  The Certificate of Baptism provided by the applicant, issued on 5 June 2012, shows his DOB as .

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant contends his record should be corrected to show his correct DOB as , which is the date that is reflected on his Certificate of Baptism.

2.  The available evidence of record shows he served exclusively using the DOB of "."

3.  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 DOB in his reconstructed Army Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army’s records.

4.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document will be filed in his OMPF.  This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the DOB in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his correct DOB documented in those 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)                                         AR20140003743





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ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)                                         AR20140003743



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