ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  26 March 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20170014428


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  correction of his DD Form 214 (Report of Separation from 
the Armed Forces of the United States) to show he was in Yokohama, Japan, in 
December 1952.

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	Department of Veterans Affairs letter
*	Standard Form 88 (Report of Medical Examination)
*	DD Form 214

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 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's complete military records are not available for review.  A fire 
destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the National Personnel 
Records Center (NPRC), St. Louis, MO, in 1973.  It is believed his records were lost or 
destroyed in that fire.  This case is being considered using the documents the applicant 
provided and his reconstructed service record.

3.  The applicant states his DD Form 214 does not mention that he was in Yokohama, 
Japan, to have a body cast removed in December 1952.  He believes the Army did not 
include in his military records that he was to stop in a hospital in Yokohama as a 
medical hold to have the cast removed before continuing on to Korea.  He indicates this 
information will assist him with a service connection decision from the Department of 
Veterans Affairs.  

4.  On 21 May 1952, the applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States.  His 
DD Form 214 shows in:

*	Item 26 (Foreign and/or Sea Service) – 1 year and 5 months
*	Item 27 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and 
Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) – Korean Service Medal with two 
bronze service stars
*	Item 28 (Most Significant Duty Assignment) – Company A, 430th Engineer 
Construction Battalion

5.  His reconstructed service record does not contain any documents showing his 
assignment history or his complete medical history.  

6.  He provides a Report of Medical Examination, dated 7 May 1954, completed in 
conjunction with his release to the Enlisted Reserve Corps.  This document makes no 
mention of the applicant having been in a cast or that a cast was removed while he was 
in Yokohama, Japan.  

7.  On 8 May 1954, he was honorably released from active duty.  The DD Form 214 
issued at that time did not have a field designated for recording a complete assignment 
history.  

8.  Special Regulations 615-306-1 (Separation of Enlisted Personnel) provided 
instructions for preparation of the DD Form 214.  The regulation did not require 
recording any assignments on the DD Form 214 other than the Soldier’s most 
significant duty assignment and the command to which transferred upon release from 
active duty.   

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting evidence, the Board found that relief 
was not warranted.  There was no corroborating evidence to the statements of the 
applicant, therefore, in the opinion of the Board, relief was not warranted.



BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:	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 the overall merits of this case are insufficient 
as a basis for correction of the records of the individual concerned.

	  
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.


ADMINISTRATIVE NOTE(S):

Not Applicable



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 Army Board for Correction of Military Records 
(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.  Special Regulations 615-306-1 (Separation of Enlisted Personnel) provided 
instructions for preparation of the DD Form 214.  The regulation did not require 
recording any assignments on the DD Form 214 other than the Soldier’s most 
significant duty assignment and the command to which transferred upon release from 
active duty.  

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	AR20170014428

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