PROCEEDINGS

	IN THE CASE OF:  

	BOARD DATE:           27 September 2001
	DOCKET NUMBER:   AR2001059573

	I certify that hereinafter is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in the case of the above-named individual.  

	Mr. Carl W. S. Chun		Director	
	Mr. William Blakely		Analyst	

  The following members, a quorum, were present:

	Mr. Raymond V. O’Connor		Chairperson	
	Mr. Eric N. Andersen		Member	
	Mr. Thomas E. O’Shaughnessy, Jr.		Member	

	The applicant and counsel if any, did not appear before the Board.

	The Board considered the following evidence:

	Exhibit A - Application for correction of military 
                            records
	Exhibit B - Military Personnel Records (including
	                  advisory opinion, if any)

FINDINGS:

1.  The applicant has exhausted or the Board has waived the requirement for exhaustion of all administrative remedies afforded by existing law or regulations.

2.  The applicant requests, in effect, that his military records be changed to show his correct Social Security Number (SSN) and that he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM).  

3.  The applicant states, in effect, that the SSN listed in his separation document (DD Form 214) is incorrect and that block 13 (decorations, medals, badges, citations and campaign ribbons awarded or authorized) of his DD Form 214 does not show that he was awarded the ARCOM.  He further comments that if his SSN is not corrected he will loose veteran benefits.  In support of his application, he submits a copy of his current Social Security Card, his DD Form 214, and Permanent Orders Number 157-2, which authorized him the ARCOM. 

4.  The applicant’s military records show that on 28 June 1983, he enlisted in the Army for 4 years.  He successfully completed training in military occupational specialty 76Y (Unit Supply Specialist) and served at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and in Germany.

5.  The applicant’s record shows that during his active duty tenure he earned the following awards:  Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Ribbon; Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award); and Good Conduct Medal.  On 27 July 1987, he was  honorably released from active duty, in the rank of sergeant/E-5, after having served a total of 4 years and 1 month of active military service. 

6.  The SSN recorded in the applicant’s DD Form 214 is the same one that was listed in his enlistment contract, the service record created upon his enlistment, and in the records and documents prepared and published throughout his active duty service.  Block 13 of his DD Form 214 does not include the ARCOM as an authorized award.

7.  Permanent Orders Number 157-2, dated 18 December 1987, issued by Headquarters, 8th Infantry Division, awarded the applicant the ARCOM for meritorious service for the period 26 October 1985 through 26 July 1987.

CONCLUSIONS:

1.  The applicant failed to provide evidence from the Social Security Administration that confirms that the SSN recorded in his military records was in error at the time it was used or why it was changed and is now different from the SSN recorded in his military records.  

2.  The Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records and the information contained in those records should reflect the conditions and circumstances that existed at the time the records were created.  

3.  In this case, the SSN recorded in the applicant’s enlistment contract, the military records created upon his enlistment, and in all documents published during his active duty tenure is consistent.  Consequently, the Board finds no error in the existing military records.  

4.  However, the applicant is advised that a copy of this decisional document with its enclosures, including the copy of his current Social Security Card that reflects his current SSN will be filed in his Official Military Personnel File (OMPF).  This will serve to document the fact that he is currently using a SSN different from the one recorded in his military records.  In the opinion of the Board, this should satisfy any need for clarity in regard to this issue.  

5.  Permanent Orders Number 157-2, dated 18 December 1987, confirms that the applicant was awarded the ARCOM for meritorious service for the period 
26 October 1985 through 26 July 1987.  Therefore, the Board concludes it would be appropriate to add this award to his DD Form 214 at this time. 

6.  In view of the foregoing, the applicant’s records should be corrected as recommended below.

RECOMMENDATION:

1.  That all of the Department of the Army records related to this case by corrected by showing the individual concerned was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for meritorious service for the period 26 October 1985 through 26 July 1987; and by providing him a corrected separation document that reflects this award.

2.  That so much of the application as is in excess of the foregoing be denied.

BOARD VOTE:  

__RVO___  __ENA__  __TEO__  GRANT AS STATED IN RECOMMENDATION

________  ________  ________  GRANT FORMAL HEARING

________  ________  ________  DENY APPLICATION

		__Raymond V. O’Connor, Jr._
		        CHAIRPERSON

INDEX

CASE ID	AR2001059573	
SUFFIX		
RECON	YYYYMMDD	
DATE BOARDED	2001/09/27	
TYPE OF DISCHARGE	(HD, GD, UOTHC, UD, BCD, DD, UNCHAR)	
DATE OF DISCHARGE	YYYYMMDD	
DISCHARGE AUTHORITY	AR . . . . .  	
DISCHARGE REASON		
BOARD DECISION	(GRANT)	
REVIEW AUTHORITY		
ISSUES         1.	101000.0900	
2.	107.00	
3.		
4.		
5.		
6.