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 applicant’s 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 applicant’s 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 applicant’s 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 applicant’s 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 applicant’s 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.