BOARD DATE: 19 February 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140011303 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 that his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show his middle name as "Melvyn." 2. The applicant states that his records incorrectly reflect his middle name as “Melvin” and he is not sure why his records reflect such. 3. The applicant provides copies of his military records and his birth certificate. 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 2 December 1969 using the middle name of "Melvin." All of the documents contained in his records, to include those done by the applicant show his middle name as "Melvin." 3. He completed his training as an infantryman, served 8 months in Vietnam and was honorably released from active duty (REFRAD) on 28 June 1972 due to the expiration of his term of service. He had served 2 years and 3 days of active service and had 208 days of lost time due to being absent without leave and confinement. His DD Form 214 reflects his middle name as "Melvin." 4. The birth certificate provided by the applicant shows his middle name spelled as "Melvin." 5. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) at the time served as the authority for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It provides that the DD Form 214 will be prepared to reflect information that is current as of the effective date of separation. Changes that occur subsequent to the date of separation will not be entered on that form retroactively unless the change occurred during the period covered by that form and the change was approved by the appropriate authority. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant’s records reflect the name in which he was inducted under and served under until the time he was REFRAD. While not prohibited, the applicant provided a middle name that is different from that contained on his birth certificate and he signed his name using the middle name contained in his records for his entire period of 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 change his 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. The applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document along with his application will be filed in his official military personnel file (OMPF). This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the name recorded in his military record and to satisfy his desire to have his current name documented in his official records. Accordingly, there is no basis for granting the applicant's requested relief. 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) AR20140011303 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140011303 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1