The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Paul L. Chesley (AFSN: FV-3087539), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an Electronic Warfare Officer of an F-105 Thunderchief “Wild Weasel” of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action in Southeast Asia on 26 April 1967. On that date, Captain Chesley was in the lead of a flight of four surface-to-air missile suppression aircraft. After one of the flight members had been downed by a surface-to-air missile north of the Red River, Captain Chesley performed a ESCAP in an extremely hazardous location. He then directed the attack on multiple surface-to-air missile sites in order to provide protection to a strike force of aircraft executed against a very important transformer and power station. After these gallant attacks which prevented surface-to-air launches at the strike aircraft Captain Chesley again proceeded to RESCAP the downed crew members. After departing the area because of low fuel, the aircraft then refueled and returned across the Red River despite MiG warnings, to perform RESCAP without any supporting aircraft, until forced to leave because of critically low fuel state. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Chesley has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Captain Paul L. Chesley (AFSN: FV-3087539), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a member of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 21 May 1967. On that date, Captain Chesley was the Electronic Warfare Officer in the lead surface-to-air missile “Hunter-Killer” F-105, with the mission of night surface-to-air missile site suppression in support of a strike against a major hostile target. Captain Chesley provided the necessary directions to attack and destroy two active sites even though required to evade two missiles by diving to fifty feet above ground level at night. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Chesley has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.