ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  29 October 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170010001


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction to his serial number on his WD AGO Form   53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge) to show XX-XXX XXX instead of XX XXX XXX.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

* DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
* WD AGO Form 53-55 (Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge)

FACTS:

1.  The applicant did not file within the three year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code (USC), section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) conducted a substantive review of this case and determined it is in the interest of justice to excuse the applicant's failure to timely file. 

2.  The applicant states his original WD-AGO 53-55 shows the incorrect last digit to his serial number.  He did not ask for a correction before, because all of his other documents are in order.  However, this minor error could affect any future benefits for his surviving family members.

3.  A review of the applicant’s service record shows:

	a.  He was inducted into the Army of the United States on 25 August 1945.  He was discharged on 20 January 1947 for immediate reenlistment.

	b.  His WD AGO Form, DA Form 20 and DD Form 4 shows his serial number as XX-XXX-XXX.

	c.  His WD AGO Form 53-55 shows he was honorably discharged on 20 January 1947.  It also shows in block 2 his serial number as XX XXX XXX.

	d.  His discharge certificates, dated 20 January 1947, 27 May 1950 and 8 July 1953 shows his serial number as XXX-XXX-XXX.

	e.  By regulation AR 615-365 (Enlisted Men – Discharge – Convenience of the Government) enlisted men will be discharged for the convenience of the government by authority of the Secretary of War only.  Such authority may be given either in each individual case or by an order applicable to all cases of a class specified in the order.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found relief warranted.  Based upon the documentary evidence provided by the applicant and found within the military service record, the Board found documents showing the requested SN ending with 646.  Therefore, the Board recommended granting the requested relief.

   BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

X	X	X:	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

:	:	:	DENY APPLICATION

BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION:

The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for relief.  As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by amending his WD AGO Form 53-55 to show in block 2 his serial number as XX XXX XX9.

	 
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.


   REFERENCES:

1.  Title 10, USC, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within three years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice.  This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the three-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so.

2.  By regulation AR 615-365 (Enlisted Men – Discharge – Convenience of the Government) enlisted men will be discharged for the convenience of the government by authority of the Secretary of War only.  Such authority may be given either in each individual case or by an order applicable to all cases of a class specified in the order.  All discharge certificates executed “for the convenience of the government” will, in addition to that phrase, and contain a short statement indicating the specific cause for the discharge.

3.  War Department Technical Manual (TM) 12-236 (Preparation of Separation Forms) in effect at time of service, governs the procedures for execution of the discharge certificates, certificates of service, and the respective military record or enlisted record and report of separation.  Section II (Preparation) directs the appropriate separation form will be prepared at time of separation.  The forms contain spaces for all items deemed appropriate; therefore no additional entries will be made on the form unless specifically authorized by the WD.

	a.  Paragraph 19 (Preparation) provides an item by item description of entries to be made on the enlisted record and report of separation.  Entries will adhere as closely as possible to the illustrations and examples presented in order to insure uniformity in execution of the forms.  All entries apply only to the current period of active duty. 

	b.  Item 55 (Remarks) is for completion of prior items on the form, or entry of other items specified in WD directives.  

Nothing Follows

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20170010001


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