IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 29 July 2022 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20220000968 APPLICANT REQUESTS: correction of the former service member's (FSM) Bronze Star Medal (BSM) Certificate to show his social security number (SSN) as APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * BSM Certificate * Honorable Discharge Certificate * Marriage License and Death Certificate FACTS: 1. The applicant did not file within the three-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, the widow of the deceased FSM, states the SSN shown on the FSM's BSM Certificate is incorrect. 3. On 28 May 1964, the FSM completed a DD Form 398 (Statement of Personal History) and listed the SSN the applicant contends is correct. 4. The FSM enlisted in the Regular Army on 1 June 1964. On 31 May 1967, the FSM was discharged for the purpose of immediate reenlistment. His DD Form 214 for this period of active service shows the SSN the applicant contends is correct. 5. The FSM reenlisted on 1 June 1967. His DA Form 20 (Enlisted Qualification Record) shows he served in Vietnam from 17 July 1967 to 11 July 1968 and from 29 August 1969 to 26 April 1970. His DA Form 20 does not show the BSM in item 41 (Awards and Decorations). 6. The FSM was released from active duty and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve on 30 April 1970. The BSM is not shown on his DD Form 214 for the period ending 30 April 1970. 7. A review of the FSM's available records failed to locate orders for the BSM. 8. A review of the Awards and Decorations Computer-Assisted Retrieval System, an index of general orders issued during the Vietnam era between 1965 and 1973 and maintained by the U.S. Army Human Resources Command Military Awards Branch, failed to reveal orders for the BSM pertaining to the FSM. 9. The applicant provided a BSM Certificate that shows the FSM was awarded the BSM for meritorious achievement during his service in Vietnam from September 1969 to April 1970. The BSM Certificate shows the SSN as, the SSN the applicant contends is incorrect. BOARD DISCUSSION: After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found that partial relief was warranted. The applicant’s contentions, the military record, and regulatory guidance were carefully considered. The Board agreed that in lieu of a BSM Certificate showing the contested SSN that reissuing the certificate without an SSN showing is more appropriate and protects the FSM’s personal identifying information when displayed. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : 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 reissuing the contested Bronze Star Medal Certificate with the FSM’s information without showing a social security number. 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 amending his SSN on the contested certificate. 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. 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. U. S. Army Vietnam Regulation 672-1 (Decorations and Awards) governed the military awards program in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It states the BSM was awarded for heroism or for meritorious achievement or service which did not involve aerial flight but which was performed in connection with military operations against an armed enemy including combat, support, and supply operations. As with all personal decorations, formal recommendations, approval through the chain of command, and announcement in orders are required. //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20220000968 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1