IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 3 February 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20210009174 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction to item 3 (Social Security Number) on his DD Form 214 (Armed Forces of the United States Report of Transfer or Discharge) for the period ending 27 February 1967 and his DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 September 1969 APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * DD Form 214 for the period ending 27 February 1967 * DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 September 1969 * Social Security Administration card dated 12 September 2008 FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the 3-year time frame provided in Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b); however, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records (ABCMR) 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 that he received two DD Forms 214 for his two Regular Army enlistment periods. His DD Form 214 for his first enlistment period ending on 27 February 1967 contains a social security number (SSN) in item 3 that he does not recognize. He reenlisted on 28 February 1967 and continued serving until he was released from active service on 30 September 1969. He was issued a second DD Form 214 for his second enlistment period. The SSN entered in item 3 appears to have transposed the last two digits of his SSN. The last two digits should be "84" and his 1969 DD Form 214 shows the last two digits as "48." He would like corrections made to his 1967 and 1969 DD Forms 214 to show his SSN as shown on his Social Security Administration card. 3. Prior to enlisting in the Regular Army, the applicant completed DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History). He did not enter an SSN in item 13 (Employment). On 24 February 1966 he certified with his signature that the entries he made on this form were true, complete and correct to the best of his knowledge. 4. With the consent of his mother, he enlisted in the Regular Army on 28 February 1966. At the time he was not a high school graduate having completed 3 years of high school. A review of his DD Form 4 (Enlistment Record – Armed Forces of the United States) shows he did not enter the service with a known SSN. As was the practice at the time, he entered service with a Department of Defense (DoD) Service Number. 5. During his first enlistment period his DoD Service Number was used as his identifying number on all official documents filed in his personnel record. Special Orders Number 43 issued on 28 February 1966 by the Armed Forces Examining and Entrance Station, Oakland, California shows all enlistees were identified by their standard name line including their DoD Service Number. This order authorized his movement from California to Fort Benning, Georgia for basic combat training. After this training he reported to Fort Sill, Oklahoma for field artillery training. He completed training and was sent to his first duty station Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 6. On 24 February 1967, personnel at Fort Bragg issued Special Orders Number 52 honorably discharging him from the Regular Army for the purpose of immediate reenlistment. His standard name line on this order contains his DoD Service Number. His effective date of discharge was 27 February 1967. 7. Accordingly, on 27 February 1967 he was discharged from the Regular Army. As was the practice at the time, he was issued a DD Form 214 for his first enlistment period. His DD Form 214 contains his standard name line with his DoD Service Number in item 2 (Service Number). It also contains a SSN in item 3. The SSN shown is not recorded within his official military personnel record nor does it match the SSN he provided on his Social Security Administration card. Therefore, the source of the SSN shown on his 27 February 1967 DD Form 214 is unknown. 8. On 28 February 1967 he immediately reenlisted in the Regular Army for a 3-year period of active service. His DD Form 4 used to record his reenlistment contains his standard name line and his DoD Service Number. There is no SSN shown on this 1967 DD Form 4. 9. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) contains his standard name line, his DoD Service Number and a SSN with the last two digits shown as "48." His official military personnel record does not contain a copy of his Social Security Administration card. The following documents filed in his record repeat the SSN as shown on his DA Form 20: * Special Orders Number 262 dated 18 September 1968 * General Orders Number 2066 dated 22 August 1969 * Special Orders Number 269 dated 26 September 1969 * Special Orders Number 272 dated 29 September 1969 10. A review of his DA Form 20 shows he arrived in the Republic of Vietnam on 23 April 1967. He was assigned to various batteries within 3rd Battalion, 319th Artillery, 173rd Airborne Brigade from on or about 28 April 1967 to 21 September 1968. He was reassigned on 22 September 1968 to Troop E, 17th Calvary, 173rd Airborne Brigade until his departure to the continental United States on 27 September 1969. He had two periods of special leave wherein he departed Vietnam for rest and recuperation. His total period of service in the United States Army Pacific geographic area was 2 years, 6 months and 7 days. In reviewing item 31 (Foreign Service) his service in Vietnam is shown as follows: * from 23 April 1967 through 21 March 1968 * from 16 May 1968 through 10 December 1968 * from 21 January 1969 through 20 September 1969 11. Special Orders Number 269 issued by Headquarters, 173rd Airborne Brigade authorized his travel and subsequent reassignment to Fort Lewis, Washington. His date of release from active duty was shown as 30 September 1969. 12. During separation processing he underwent a physical and mental health screen as recorded on DA Form 1811 (Physical and Mental Status on Release from Active Duty). His standard name line on this form used his DoD Service Number only. 13. As ordered, he was honorably released from active duty and transferred to the United States Army Reserve on 30 September 1969. He was issued a second DD Form 214 for his second enlistment period. Item 3 contains a SSN with the last two digits shown as "48." 14. He provides a copy of his Social Security Administration card issued on 12 September 2008 showing a different SSN than shown on his 1967 and 1969 DD Forms 214. Specifically, the 1969 DD Form 214 appears to transpose the last two digits of his SSN. 15. In reviewing his DD Form 214, there are administrative corrections that do not require an action or decision by the Board. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents), the regulation in effect at the time of his service, required the data entry of the dates of service in Vietnam in Block 30 (Remarks) section. Under Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) the applicant is entitled to unit awards, service ribbons or campaign medals that are not currently recorded on his DD Form 214. See Administrative Note(s) below. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found relief is warranted. 2. The Board found the SSN recorded on the applicant's final DD Form 214 carried forward a transposition error from his service record. The Board determined the applicant's final DD Form 214 should be corrected to show the SSN on his social security card. 3. Having determined the SSN should be corrected on his final DD Form 214, the Board determined it would also be appropriate to correct the SSN on his first DD Form 214. 4. The Board concurred with the corrections described in Administrative Note(s) below. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 :XX :XX :XX 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 Forms 214 to show the social security number recorded on his social security card and by making the corrections described in Administrative Note(s) below. 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): Amend the applicant’s DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 September 1969 as follows: a. Remove from item 24 (Decorations, Medals, Badges, Commendations, Citations and Campaign Ribbons Awarded or Authorized) the "VSM" known as the Vietnam Service Medal; b. Add to item 24, * Vietnam Service Medal with one silver service star and three bronze service stars * Presidential Unit Citation * Meritorious Unit Commendation * Two Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class c. Add to item 30 (Remarks) the entry "Vietnam: 19670423-19680321, 19680516- 19681210, and 19690121-19690920" REFERENCES: 1. Title 10, United States Code, section 1552(b), provides that applications for correction of military records must be filed within 3 years after discovery of the alleged error or injustice. This provision of law also allows the ABCMR to excuse an applicant's failure to timely file within the 3-year statute of limitations if the ABCMR determines it would be in the interest of justice to do so. 2. Army Regulation 15-185 (Army Board for Correction of Military Records) prescribes the policies and procedures for correction of military records by the Secretary of the Army, acting through the ABCMR. The ABCMR considers individual applications that are properly brought before it. In appropriate cases, it directs or recommends correction of military records to remove an error or an injustice. The ABCMR’s jurisdiction under Title 10, USC, section 1552 extends to any military record of the Department of the Army. The regulation provides that the ABCMR begins its consideration of each case with the presumption of administrative regularity. The applicant has the burden of proving an error or injustice by a preponderance of the evidence. 3. Army Regulation 635-5 (Separation Documents) in effect at the time stated the DD Form 214 is a summary of a Soldier's most recent period of continuous active duty service. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of active duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. The general instructions stated the military personnel records jacket, official military personnel files, DA Forms 2 and 2-1 (Personnel Qualification Record) or the DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) were the sources documents for preparing the DD Form 214. When preparing the DD Form 214 (Worksheet) personnel officers should review all available documents in the Soldier’s record. Before entering the Soldier’s SSN on his DD Form 214 (Worksheet), check records and social security card when possible; otherwise, verify the accuracy of the SSN of record. 4. Army Regulation 635-8 (Separation Processing and Documents) currently in effect prescribes policy and procedural guidance relating to transition management. The DD Form 214 is a summary of the Soldier’s most recent period of continuous active duty. It provides a brief, clear-cut record of all current active, prior active duty, and prior inactive duty service at the time of release from active duty, retirement, or discharge. The rules for completing the DD Form 214 state to verify the accuracy of a Soldier’s SSN by reviewing the initial enlistment contracts and/or application for appointment. If the Soldier has had more than one SSN, list the other SSN of record in Block 18 (Remarks). Once a DD Form 214 has been issued, there are few exceptions requiring reissuance. An appellate authority can direct reissuance or direct issuance of a DD Form 215 (Correction to DD Form 214) 5. Army Regulation 600-8-22 (Military Awards) states the Vietnam Service Medal is awarded to all members of the Armed Forces of the United States for qualifying service in Vietnam after 3 July 1965 through 28 March 1973. Qualifying service included attachment to or assignment for 1 or more days with an organization participating in or directly supporting military operations. A bronze service star will be awarded for wear on the Vietnam Service Medal for participation in each campaign. In lieu of five bronze service stars for five campaign, add one silver service star. During the applicant’s service period in Vietnam, he participated in the following eight campaigns: * Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase, 1 July 1966 - 31 May 1967 * Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase III, 1 June 1967 - 29 January 1968 * Tet Counteroffensive, 30 January - 1 April 1968 * Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase IV, 2 April - 30 June 1968 * Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase V, 1 July - 1 November 1968 * Vietnam Counteroffensive Phase VI 2 November 1968 - 22 February 1969 * Tet 69/Counteroffensive, 23 February - 8 June 1969 * Vietnam Summer - Fall 1969, 9 June - 31 October 1969 6. Department of the Army Pamphlet 672-3 (Unit Citation and Campaign Participation Credit Register) lists the awards received by units serving in Vietnam. a. It shows 3rd Battalion, 319th Artillery for the period from on or about 28 April 1967 to 21 September 1968 when the applicant was assigned to this unit was cited as follows: * Presidential Unit Citation for the period 6-23 November 1967 by Department of the Army General Orders (DAGO) Number 5, dated 1979 amended DAGO 42, dated 1969 * Meritorious Unit Commendation from 5 May 1965 through 4 May 1967 by DAGO 48, 1968 * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm from 5 May 1965 through 26 September 1970 b. It shows Troop E, 17th Cavalry during the applicant’s period of assignment from 22 September 1968 through 27 September 1969 was cited for unit awards as follows: * Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm by DAGO 51, dated 1971 * Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal, First Class by DAGO 5, dated 1973 //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20210009174 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1