BOARD DATE: 5 February 2015 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20140011375 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, the spouse of a deceased former service member (FSM), requests the correction of the FSM's DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) to show: * his social security number (SSN) as “” versus “” * his middle name as "Stephen" instead of "Steven" 2. The applicant states the SSN shown on the FSM’s DD Form 214 is different than the SSN shown on his social security card, that his middle name is not accurately reflected as "Stephen" but is listed as "Steven," and these corrections should be considered to provide the proper information for burial and death benefits, as well as social security benefits. 3. The applicant provides a copy of the FSM's: * DD Form 214 * Certification of Death Record, date issued 23 May 2014 * Form Social Security Administration (SSA) - 7028, dated 2 June 2014 * social security card CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE: 1. The FSM enlisted in the Regular Army on 22 April 1970. His DD Form 4 (Enlistment Contract – Armed Forces of the United States) shows his SSN as “” and his middle name as "Stephen." 2. A review of the FSM’s records revealed that he usually listed his SSN as “” during his military service. However, in two instances the FSM listed a different SSN which is not the same as either the SSN of record or the SSN the applicant claims to be correct: his DD Form 98 (Armed Forces Security Questionnaire), “” and his DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History), "." There is no evidence in the FSM's records that show he ever listed the SSN the applicant claims is correct. 3. A review of the FSM’s records revealed he listed his middle name as "Stephen" throughout his entire period of military service. 4. The FSM was released from active duty on 26 July 1971. His DD Form 214 shows his SSN as “” and his middle name as "Steven." 5. The applicant provides a Form SSA-7028, dated 2 June 2014, and a photocopy of his SSN card that show the FSM’s SSN as “.” 6. The applicant provides a photocopy of his SSN card that shows the FSM’s middle name as "Stephen." 7. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separations Documents), in effect during the FSM’s active duty service, prescribed the separation documents prepared for Soldiers upon retirement, discharge, or release from active military service or control of the Army. It established standardized policy for the preparation of the DD Form 214. It stated the DD Form 214 is a synopsis of the Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active service. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active Army service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: 1. The applicant's request for correction of the FSM’s DD Form 214 to show a different SSN and middle name has been carefully considered. 2. The evidence of record shows the FSM represented his middle name as "Stephen" throughout his entire period of military service. He listed and authenticated with his signature, as required, that his middle name was "Stephen" when required by the form. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that his actual middle name was "Stephen" and not "Steven." As such, it would be appropriate to correct the FSM's DD Form 214 to show his middle name as "Stephen." 3. With respect to his SSN, the evidence of record shows the FSM primarily represented his SSN as "" throughout his period of military service. He did not use the requested SSN during his period of military service. 4. 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 showing a material error or injustice, there is a reluctance to recommend that those records be changed. While it is understandable the applicant desires to now record her deceased husband’s current SSN in his military records, there is not a sufficiently compelling reason for compromising the integrity of the Army's records. In view of the foregoing, there is an insufficient basis to grant this portion of the requested relief. 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 amending item 1 of his DD Form 214 to delete the entry "XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX STEVEN" and replace it with the entry "XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXX STEPHEN." 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 correcting the FSM's records to show his SSN as “.” _________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) AR20120017813 3 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1 ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20140011375 2 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1