Air Force pilots , combat systems officers , Navy and Marine Corps Naval Aviators and Naval Flight Officers flying fighter aircraft are often considered eligible to receive the Silver Star upon becoming an ace ( i.e. , having five or more confirmed aerial kills ) , which entails the pilot and , in multi-seat fighters , the weapons system officer or radar intercept officer , intentionally and successfully risking his life multiple times under combat conditions and emerging victorious .
This is : Air Force pilots , combat systems officers , Navy and Marine Corps aviators and Naval Flight Officers flying fighter aircraft are often considered eligible to receive the Silver Star upon becoming an ace ( having five or more confirmed aerial kills ) .