ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS


	IN THE CASE OF:

	BOARD DATE:  5 September 2019

	DOCKET NUMBER:  AR20190007379


APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United 
States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending 17 March 1969, to show 
his social security number (SSN) as "XXX-XX-XXXX" instead of "XX-XX-XXXX."

APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: 

*	DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record)
*	DD Form 214, dated 17 March 1969
*	copy, Social Security Administration (SSA) card, dated 16 May 2019
*	letter, Veteran's Service Office, Dane County, dated 22 May 2019

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, in effect, the SSN listed on his DD Form 214 is incorrect.  He 
contends his application for state tax exemption for property tax exemption revealed the 
error for his SSN being incorrect.  He believes in the interest of justice his SSN should 
be listed correctly and the correction would benefit him as he applies for additional 
benefits. 

3.  The applicant's military personnel service records are not available to the Board for 
review.  A fire destroyed approximately 18 million service members' records at the 
National Personnel Records Center in 1973.  It is believed that his records were lost or 
destroyed in that fire.  However, there are sufficient documents available for the Board 
to conduct a fair and impartial review of this case.  

4.  The applicant was inducted into the Army of the United States on 24 May 1967 and 
honorably released from active duty on 17 March 1969.  His DD Form 214, item 3 
(Social Security Number) shows his SSN as "XXX-XX-XXXX."

5.  The applicant provides a SSA card, dated 16 May 2019, which shows his SSN as 
"XXX-XX-XXXX."

6.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), in effect, stated to transcribe the 
SSN at the time of separation from applicable documents in item 3.

BOARD DISCUSSION:

1.  The Board carefully considered the applicant’s request, supporting documents and 
evidence in the records.  The Board considered the applicant’s statement, the SSN 
consistently appearing in his service records and the number on the Social Security 
Card he provided showing an issue date of 16 May 2019.  The Board found no evidence 
to show the SSN in the applicant’s records was not correct at the time and the applicant 
provide no supporting documents (such as an SSA letter) in support of a reason for a 
change to his SSN after his service.  One member found sufficient evidence to 
recommend relief.  By a preponderance of evidence, the Board majority determined that 
the SSN as reflected on the applicant’s DD Form 214 was not in error or unjust.    

2.  The applicant is advised that a copy of this decision will be placed in his records to 
clarify the difference in the SSN under which he served and the SSN he uses today.

3.  After reviewing the application and all supporting documents, the Board found that 
relief was not warranted.?
BOARD VOTE:

Mbr 1	Mbr 2	Mbr 3

:	:	:X	GRANT FULL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF

:	:	:	GRANT FORMAL HEARING

: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.  Army Regulation 635-5 (Separations Documents), then in effect, 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.  It provides to transcribe the SSN in item 3 at the time of his separation from 
applicable documents.

ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont)	 AR20190007379
	
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