ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:  30 October 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20180014328


APPLICANT REQUESTS:  his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report 
of Transfer or Discharge) be corrected to show his race as African American or Black

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	Georgia Driver’s License
*	Medicare Card
*	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 states his race is incorrect on his DD Form 214, it shows Caucasian; 
however, he is African American.  He needs his race corrected in order to receive 
veteran benefits.

3.  The applicant provides a copy of his DD Form 214, which is not legible; however, it 
shows in the Personal Data that his race is listed as Caucasian.

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

a.  The complete facts and circumstances surrounding the applicant’s military 
service are not available to the Board for review with this case.

b.  The National Archives and Records Administration provides documentation of his 
induction number and what appears to be his induction date of 10 April 1957.

c.  The DD Form 214 is not legible enough to provide any other service information.

5.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Personnel Separations – Separation Documents) 
established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  
Item 7a shows Race and the information is obtained from DA Form 66 or enlistment 
record as appropriate.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found the relief 
was warranted.  The applicant’s contentions were carefully considered.  His DD Form 
214 list his race as Caucasian.  However, he contends he is black, and provided a 
drivers license with a picture identification as evidence.  The Board agreed there was an 
error when his DD Form 214 was created.

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 DD Form 
214 showing his race as Black.


	  
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 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.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Personnel Separations – Separation Documents) 
established the standardized policy for preparing and distributing the DD Form 214.  
The purpose of the separation document is to provide the individual with documentary 
evidence of his or her military service.  It is important that information entered on the 
form should be complete and accurate.  Items 7a show the Race of the Soldier and are 
obtained from the Soldier’s DA Form 66 or enlistment record.

//NOTHING FOLLOWS//

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20180014328

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