RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
AIR FORCE BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS

IN THE MATTER OF:				DOCKET NUMBER:  BC-2008-02742
								INDEX CODE:  100.00
								COUNSEL:  NONE

								HEARING DESIRED:  NO

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT REQUESTS THAT:

He be awarded the Silver Star (SS) for gallantry in action on 6 November 1952 while attacking railway bridges northwest of Sinanju, Korea.

________________________________________________________________

APPLICANT CONTENDS THAT:

He was notified that he had been recommended for the SS; however, the submission was lost, or if approved, was never officially presented.

Upon his arrival at his next duty station, he was notified by letter from the Squadron Awards and Decorations Officer that the 49th Fighter Group Commander, Col XXXXXXXXXX, had submitted a recommendation to award him the SS for his destruction of two spans of the western-most bridges at Sinanju. However, this submission to Far East Air Force (FEAF) may have been lost in transit, or if approved, was never formally presented to him.  Records of this action may also have been lost in the fire at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, Missouri.

In support of his appeal, applicant submits statements from the former group leader on the mission (Brig Gen XXXXXXXXXX) and the former Squadron Operations Officer recommending him for the SS, a narrative recommendation, a proposed citation, a map of the mission area, and a Combat Mission Recap for 6 November 1952.

The former group leader states that on the date in question, the applicant led the last of six flights.  The target was a long single rail bridge, heavily defended, and in a valley so situated as to be almost constantly in a crosswind.  The first five flight attacks resulted in rail cuts and some bridge damage, but did not destroy the bridge.  The efforts of the applicant’s flight were hampered by dust and smoke which had enveloped the area.  In addition, they were further delayed by aircraft from another wing which started their run ahead of them.  Despite these obstacles, the applicant managed to find an aim point and completed a second run destroying two spans of the bridge.  For the applicant to cut rail bridges in crosswinds with an old iron sight is an achievement all by itself.  For him to do so under the adverse conditions, which he encountered, showed determination and courage beyond that expected in such conditions and truly deserves recognition.

The former Squadron Operations Officer states that he was familiar with the hazards of the mission, the pilots involved, and the intent of the two commanders.

Applicant’s complete submission, with attachments, is at Exhibit A.

________________________________________________________________

STATEMENT OF FACTS:

During the period under review, the applicant was assigned to the 49th Fighter Bomber Group, at K-2 (Tague), Korea, as an F-84 (Thunderjet) pilot, completing a total of 100 combat missions.

He retired in the grade of colonel on 1 January 1975.

The Silver Star (SS) is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity, is 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 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.  Sufficient relevant evidence has been presented to demonstrate the existence of error or injustice.  After thoroughly reviewing the evidence of record and noting the applicant’s contentions, we are convinced that his actions on 6 November 1952, while attacking railway bridges northwest of Sinanju, Korea, meet the criteria for award of the Silver Star (SS).  In this respect, we note that in support of his request, the applicant has provided statements from the former group leader on the mission and the former Squadron Operations Officer, both of whom have recommended him for the SS.  The former group leader states that on the date in question, after the attacks of the first five flights had not resulted in the total destruction of a heavily defended, long single rail bridge located in a valley so situated as to be almost constantly in a crosswind, the applicant made two runs at the target, destroying two spans on his final pass.  Given the adverse conditions the applicant overcame, i.e., heavily defended target, dust/smoke which had enveloped the area, constant crosswinds, delayed by aircraft from another wing which had started their run ahead of them, final attacking flight, and in view of his voluntary act of placing himself once again in danger by making a second pass at the target, we believe his gallantry in action on 6 November 1952, clearly rises to the level warranting award of the SS.  Therefore, we recommend his records be corrected to the extent indicated below.

________________________________________________________________

THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT:

The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United States while attacking railroad bridges northwest of Sunanju, Korea on 6 November 1952.

________________________________________________________________

The following members of the Board considered AFBCMR Docket Number BC-2008-02742 in Executive Session on 13 August 2008, under the provisions of AFI 36-2603:

	XXXXXXXXXX, Chair
	XXXXXXXXXX, Member
	XXXXXXXXXX, Member

All members voted to correct the records, as recommended.  The following documentary evidence was considered:

     Exhibit A.  DD Form 149, dated 13 Nov 07, w/atchs.
     Exhibit B.  Applicant's Master Personnel Records.

                                   XXXXXXXXXX
                                   Chair

AFBCMR BC-2008-02742

MEMORANDUM FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF

	Having received and considered the recommendation of the Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records and under the authority of Section 1552, Title 10, United States Code (70A Stat 116), it is directed that:

	The pertinent military records of the Department of the Air Force relating to APPLICANT, be corrected to show that he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action against an army enemy of the United States while attacking railroad bridges northwest of Sunanju, Korea on 6 November 1952.

		XXXXXXXXXX
		Director
		Air Force Review Boards Agency