RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS
IN THE MATTER OF: DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2014-00139
COUNSEL: NONE
HEARING DESIRED: NO
APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:
His records be corrected to reflect award of the Silver Star
(SS) Medal.
APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:
The SS is missing from his records. He was given the SS by
Lieutenant General . He earned the SS for flying out the
wounded and saving an airplane from being destroyed. He served
with the 51st Fighter/Bomber Squadron in Apr/May 53.
He entered active duty on 5 Feb 45, not 5 Feb 46.
The applicants complete submission, with attachments, is at
Exhibit A.
STATEMENT OF FACTS:
NAVEPERS-553, Notice of Separation, provided by the applicant
reflects he enlisted in the Navy on 5 Feb 46.
On 30 Oct 50, the applicant commenced his enlistment in the
Regular Air Force. On 29 Oct 54, he was honorably discharged
and credited with 6 years, 9 months, and 25 days of active
service.
The remaining relevant facts pertaining to this application are
contained in the memoranda prepared by the Air Force offices of
primary responsibility (OPR), which are attached at Exhibits C,
D, and E.
AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
AFPC/DPSID recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of
an error or an injustice. There is no documentation in the
applicants military personnel records or provided to support
award of the SS. The SS is awarded to individuals of the armed
forces who, while serving in any capacity, are cited for
gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while
engaged in military operations involving conflict with an
opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces
against an opposing armed force in which the United States is
not a belligerent party.
The evidence is not sufficient to reasonably consider awarding
the applicant the SS. To properly consider the application for
the SS, he needs to submit a recommendation from someone with
firsthand knowledge of the act or achievement, preferably from
someone within his change of command at the time of the act or
achievement, a proposed citation, and eyewitness statements.
The applicants entitlement to the Korean War Service Medal
(KWSM) was verified and will be administratively added to his
record.
A complete copy of the AFPC/DPSID evaluation is at Exhibit C.
AFHRA recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an
error an injustice and concurs with the recommendation of
AFPC/DPSID. The applicant claims that the Lieutenant General,
Commander of the Fifth Air Force, awarded him the SS Medal in
Apr-May 53. General . was not serving with the Fifth Air Force
during the period the applicant claims he received the SS. The
General did not arrive at the Fifth Air Force until 31 May 53.
Furthermore, there was not a 51st Fighter-Inceptor Squadron
during the period the applicant claims he served. There was a
51st Fighter-Inceptor Wing.
The applicant has not provided any specifics as to why he was
awarded the SS other than that he flew out wounded and saved an
airplane from being destroyed. The 51st Fighter-Inceptor Wing
did not fly aircraft that were used for medical evacuation.
They used aircraft for their pilots to maintain their flying
proficiency. The applicant was an aircraft mechanic and not a
pilot. A review of the unit history does not reveal that any
aircraft were lost due to enemy action, injured personnel were
airlifted or that any aircraft was saved from being destroyed.
A complete copy of the AFHRA/RS evaluation is at Exhibit D.
SAF/MRBP recommends denial indicating there is no evidence of an
error an injustice and concurs with the recommendation of
AFPC/DPSID. The applicant did not provide any evidence to
support he was awarded the SS. There was no documentation to
support the applicants request for award of the SS.
A complete copy of the SAF/MRBP evaluation is at Exhibit E.
APPLICANT'S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION:
Copies of the Air Force evaluations were forwarded to the
applicant on 29 Sep 14 for review and comment within 30 days
(Exhibit D). As of this date, no response has been received by
this office.
THE BOARD CONCLUDES THAT:
1. The applicant has exhausted all remedies provided by
existing law or regulations.
2. The application was not timely filed; however, it is in the
interest of justice to excuse the failure to timely file.
3. Insufficient relevant evidence has been presented to
demonstrate the existence of an error or injustice. The
applicant contends his date of entry to active duty is not
correct and that he was awarded the SS medal. We note the
documentation he provided reflects for the time period in
question he enlisted in the Navy and therefore this contention
should be addressed by the Naval Board for Correction of
Military Records. While the applicant contends he was awarded
the SS for transporting the wounded and saving an aircraft from
being destroyed, other than his own uncorroborated assertions,
he has provided no evidence whatsoever to indicate that he was
recommended for, or should have been awarded, the SS. While we
are not unmindful or unappreciative of the applicants service
to our Nation, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, we
find no basis to recommend granting the relief sought in this
application.
THE BOARD DETERMINES THAT:
The applicant be notified the evidence presented did not
demonstrate the existence of material error or injustice; the
application was denied without a personal appearance; and the
application will only be reconsidered upon the submission of
newly discovered relevant evidence not considered with this
application.
The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2014-00139 in Executive Session on 27 Jan 15 under the
provisions of AFI 36-2603:
, Panel Chair
, Member
, Member
The following documentary evidence pertaining to AFBCMR Docket
Number BC-2014-00139 was considered:
Exhibit A. DD Form 149, dated 6 Jan 14, w/atchs.
Exhibit B. Applicant's Master Personnel Records.
Exhibit C. Memorandum, AFPC/DPSID, dated 27 Mar 14.
Exhibit D. Memorandum, AFRHA/RS, undated.
Exhibit E. Memorandum, SAF/MRBP, dated 4 Sep 14.
Exhibit F. Letter, SAF/MRBR, dated 29 Sep 14.
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