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 (Air Corps) Paul Theodore Preuss, United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Plans, Headquarters U.S. Army Air Forces, in the China Theater from May 1945 to February 1946. Colonel Preuss rendered invaluable assistance in the preparation of joint operational plans for the U.S. Army Air Forces and the Chinese Air Forces. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Preuss and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

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 (Air Corps) Paul Theodore Preuss, United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with Headquarters, Army Air Forces in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, from 1944 to 1946. Colonel Preuss was responsible for the overall planning of the operations of both U.S. Army Air Forces and Royal Air Force units of Eastern Air Command, which resulted in the defeat of the Japanese Air Force in Burma, and materially contributed to the success of the British 14th Army which was wholly supplied by air. Colonel Preuss conceived a ground force plan of operations for retaking Southern Burma, which was instrumental in the recapture of Rangoon. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Preuss and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.