The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the 396th Fighter Squadron 368th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force on 12 April 1945. Despite navigational difficulties presented by adverse weather conditions, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas, while launching an assault against enemy airfields in the vicinity of Leipzig, Germany, distinguished himself by outstanding courage and brilliant leadership. Although his own aircraft sustained severe damage from intense anti-aircraft fire, he determinedly held his position in flight and directed attacks upon two airdromes, destroying seventeen of the seventy-three planes accountable to his squadron. During the course of his daring attacks, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas silenced numerous gun positions, enabling his squadron to continue their mission unimpeded. The superior airmanship and heroic devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Douglas on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 20, 1965 – January 15, 1968
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-219 (May 21, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commander, 41st Air Division, Yokota Air Base, Japan, from 20 July 1965 to 15 January 1968. During this period, the exemplary ability, diligence, and devotion to duty of Colonel Douglas were instrumental factors in the resolution of many complex problems of major importance to the Air Force. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Douglas reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
396th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
368th Fighter GroupDivision:
9th Air ForceAction Date:
April 13, 1945
Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 126 (July 6, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving with the 396th Bombardment Squadron, 368th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force on 13 April 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Douglas distinguished himself by superior aerial proficiency and leadership while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the vicinity of Jutebeg and Damm, Germany. Despite heavy haze Lieutenant Colonel Douglas led repeated attacks on two enemy airfields in the face of concentrated enemy fire at both landing grounds. The unusual courage and technical efficiency displayed by him resulted in a great blow to the enemy air forces. He personally destroyed seven aircraft and damaged another while under his brilliant direction, 16 were destroyed by his squadron and an additional four were severely damaged. The excellent combat record achieved by Lieutenant Colonel Douglas on this occasion reflects the highest distinction to himself and the Army Air Forces.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
August 8, 1955 – November 30, 1957
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Investigation and Field Operations Division, Directorate of Flight Safety Research, Office of the Inspector General, Norton Air Force Base, California, from 8 August 1955 to 30 November 1957. During this period, Colonel Douglas developed procedures which will further reduce an already low rate of aircraft accidents. As a result of his efforts, various programs were initiated which materially assisted Air Force units in their conversion to new and different type aircraft. Colonel Douglas’ modifications and application of the concept of operations safety services have provided commanders a method to analyze all factors affecting the safe and effective accomplishment of their assigned mission. Colonel Douglas displayed outstanding initiative and ability in establishing the Annual World Wide Flying Safety Officers Conference which has resulted in an Air Force wide identification of critical operational deficiencies and unified actions to achieve prompt remedial action. Through his high sense of responsibility and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Douglas has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
396th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
368th Fighter GroupDivision:
9th Air ForceAction Date:
October 20, 1944
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 13 (February 4, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 396th Fighter Squadron, 368th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 20 October 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas was returning to base as leader of a squadron of fighter aircraft with his supply of gasoline almost exhausted, when a formation of more than 20 enemy aircraft carrying bombs was observed. Completely disregarding the odds against him, he ordered all but five of his aircraft to return to base, and with this small number unhesitatingly attacked the enemy formation with such ferocity that they were forced to jettison their bombs directly over the city of Coblenz and take evasive action. In the ensuing combat, Lieutenant Colonel Douglas relentlessly pursued the enemy, destroyed three of his aircraft and damaged a fourth. His own plane was continually under attack and sustained many hits. He was painfully wounded and his airplane’s right wing was set on fire, yet he managed to return to base. The extraordinary heroism and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Douglas on this occasion are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces and reflect great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-3962 (1968)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Air Force, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Southeast Asia in 1968. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Douglas reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
396th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
368th Fighter GroupDivision:
9th Air ForceAction Date:
March 14, 1945
Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 69 (June 14, 1945)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 396th Fighter Squadron, 368th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 14 March 1945. On this date, with only three aircraft supporting him, Colonel Douglas attacked a force of more than fifty enemy aircraft carrying bombs toward the American lines in the Remagen Bridgehead. Completely disregarding the enemy’s overwhelming numerical superiority, he attacked relentlessly, compelling the hostile aircraft to jettison their bombs. In the ensuing combat Colonel Douglas destroyed three enemy planes while the aircraft he was leading destroyed seven additional enemy planes with no loss to themselves. The extraordinary heroism and determination of this officer to destroy the enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Batallion:
396th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
368th Fighter GroupDivision:
9th Air ForceAction Date:
October 6, 1944
Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 289 (December 10, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving with the 396th Fighter Squadron, 368th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force in the European Theater of Operations, on 6 October 1955. Lieutenant Colonel Douglas demonstrated outstanding leadership on a group attack on a large number of hostile planes camouflaged in a field near Cologne, Germany. Despite intense, accurate anti-aircraft fire he skillfully directed his men to the attack, and although his own aircraft sustained serious battle damage he accounted personally for the destruction of six of the grounded aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel Douglas’ calm judgment and spirited leadership on this occasion are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-2985 (September 26, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Thunderchief pilot over North Vietnam on 5 June 1968. On that date, Colonel Douglas was ordered to attack and destroy a heavily defended ammunition storage area made almost inaccessible through a combination of mountainous terrain and marginal weather conditions. Despite the many hazards, Colonel Douglas, with consummate flying skill and at great personal risk, bombed and strafed the target with devastating effect. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Colonel Douglas reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Major (Air Corps)Batallion:
396th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
369th Fighter GroupDivision:
9th Air ForceAction Date:
March – May 1944
Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 162 (June 15, 1944)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major (Air Corps) Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Army Air Forces, for outstanding achievement while participating in aerial flight against the enemy in the European Theater of Operations from March to May 1944. As squadron commander, Major Douglas has led his squadron with distinction in a large number of difficult combat missions, maintaining the highest operational efficiency, and displaying superior tactical technique in the destruction of vital enemy installations and objectives. He has repeatedly shown fearless courage in carrying out attacks upon enemy aircraft menacing bomber formations, and through his superior flying ability and aggressive spirit has led his squadron to unusual achievements in vigorous assaults upon the enemy. His forceful leadership and high devotion to duty are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Services.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier General [then Colonel]Action Date:
January 24, 1968 – December 15, 1968
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General [then Colonel] Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Wing Commander, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, from 24 January 1968 to 15 December 1968. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight and ceaseless efforts constantly demonstrated by General Douglas resulted in significant contributions to the success of United States Air Force operations against hostile forces in Southeast Asia. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership and personal endeavor displayed by General Douglas reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.