IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 January 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150015516 BOARD VOTE: _________ _______ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ___x____ ___x____ ___x____ DENY APPLICATION 2 Enclosures 1. Board Determination/Recommendation 2. Evidence and Consideration IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 January 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150015516 BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: The evidence presented does not demonstrate the existence of a probable error or injustice. Therefore, the Board determined 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. IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 12 January 2017 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20150015516 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 (Report of Separation from the Armed Forces of the United States) to show his middle name as "BOK MAN" instead of "PONG MON." 2. The applicant states he wants to fix his record before he passes away so his family will not have to deal with the discrepancy. 3. The applicant provides: * 2 DD Forms 214 * Standard Certificate 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's complete military record is 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 a majority of the applicant's records were lost or destroyed in that fire. However, there were sufficient documents on file for the Board to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case. 3. The applicant enlisted in the Regular Army (RA) and he entered into active service on 31 July 1951. 4. All of the various documents contained in the applicant's available military records list his middle name as "PONG MON" or initials as "PM." 5. The applicant was honorably released from active duty on 25 June 1954. Item 1 (Last Name - First Name - Middle Name) of his authenticated DD Form 214 shows his middle name as "PONG MON." In addition, item 34 (Signature of Person Being Transferred or Discharged) shows he signed his middle name with the initials "PM." 6. The applicant provides a copy of his Standard Certificate of Birth, dated 7 December 1931, which lists his middle name as "BOK MAN." REFERENCES: Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), then in effect, established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214. The regulation directed that the purpose of the separation document was to provide the individual with documentary evidence of his or her military service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. It is important that information entered on the form be complete and accurate and reflects the conditions, as they existed at the time of separation. DISCUSSION: 1. Item 34 of the applicant's DD Form 214 shows he authenticated this document with the middle name (initials) of "PM"; these initials, which stand for the middle name "PONG MON," are consistent with the middle name on every document in his available service records. 2. The Army has an interest in maintaining the integrity of its records for historical purposes. 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. 3. A copy of this document will be filed in the applicant's military records. This should serve to clarify any questions or confusion regarding the difference in the middle name on his Standard Certificate of Birth and the middle name under which he served. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings AR20150000953 Enclosure 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150015516 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20150015516 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Enclosure 2