BOARD DATE: 11 October 2012 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20120007289 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 the DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) of her deceased husband, a former service member (FSM), be corrected to show his correct social security number (SSN). 2. The applicant states the number shown on the FSM's DD Form 214 is not his SSN. She indicates on her application that the FSM's SSN is 569-XX-XXXX. 3. The applicant provides: * the FSM's DD Form 214 * the FSM's death certificate * their marriage certificate CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The FSM’s military personnel records were not available. The only records available to the Board were the records provided by the applicant. 2. The FSM's DD Form 214 shows he enlisted in the Regular Army on 20 July 1970 for a period of 3 years. He served in the Republic of Vietnam from 4 August 1971 to 17 March 1972. 3. On 19 March 1972 he was released from active duty. He completed 1 year and 8 months of active service that was characterized as honorable. Item 3 (Social Security Number) of his DD Form 214 contains a 9-digit number beginning with the number 9 (hereafter referred to as a temporary identification number (TIN)). His DD Form 214 also shows his date of birth (DOB). 4. The FSM's death certificate, provided by the applicant, shows the: * FSM's DOB as shown on the DD Form 214 * applicant as the surviving spouse * FSM's SSN as indicated by the applicant on her application 5. Army Regulation 600-2 (Name and Birth Data, Social Security Account Number, and Temporary Identification Number (TIN)), effective 1 July 1969, announced the use of the SSN in lieu of military service numbers. A TIN would be issued during the pre-enlistment processing for entrance into the active Army to those individuals who did not have an SSN. The TIN was a 9-digit number that always began with the number "9." Upon receipt of an SSN, the TIN entry on all records would be lined through and the SSN would be entered. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. It appears the FSM did not have his SSN when he was enlisted and he was issued the TIN currently shown on his DD Form 214. It appears he was identified with this TIN throughout his service. He would have been required to apply for an SSN card at the time of his enlistment. Due to the short duration of his service, he apparently did not receive his SSN card while in service and it was never entered into his military records. 2. For historical purposes, the Army has an interest in maintaining the accuracy of its records. 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. The FSM's SSN on his death certificate is the same SSN the applicant lists on her application. The DOB shown on the FSM's DD Form 214 is the same DOB shown on the death certificate and the applicant is shown as the surviving spouse. The evidence is sufficient to show the individual listed on the DD Form 214 and the death certificate is the same person. Therefore, to clarify any questions or confusion in regard to the difference in the TIN recorded on his DD Form 214 and his SSN it would be appropriate to add an entry in item 30 (Remarks) of his DD Form 214 showing his SSN as indicated on his death certificate. BOARD VOTE: ________ ________ ________ GRANT FULL RELIEF ___x__ __x______ ___x_____ GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF ________ ________ ________ GRANT FORMAL HEARING ________ ________ ________ DENY APPLICATION BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by adding the following entry to item 30 of his DD Form 214: "Social Security Number: 569-XX-XXXX" (as shown on the FSM's death certificate). 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to changing the entry in item 3 of the FSM's DD Form 214. __________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. ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120007289 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20120007289 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1