Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
William
Douglas
Dunham
January 29, 1920

–

March 3, 1990

Cemetery:

Sunset Hills Memorial Park

During World War II, William Dunham became a U.S. Army Air Forces TRIPLE ACE, credited with shooting down 16 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, serving during the Vietnam War with the SEVENTH Air Force. He retired in 1970 as a U.S. Air Force Brigadier General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    460th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    March 5, 1944
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 185 (March 29, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy over Wewak, New Guinea, on 5 March 1944. Captain Dunham was flying one of three P-47s in a fighter sweep to Wewak when three enemy bombers and one enemy fighter were sighted. Captain Dunham dived to attack and, making a pass at one enemy bomber, shot it down in flames. He then turned into an enemy fighter which was on the tail of a P-47 and hit the fighter in the engine and fuselage with a long burst. The canopy flew off and the Japanese plane crashed into the ground. Outstanding courage and devotion to duty were displayed by Captain Dunham during this engagement.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    July 26 – December 18, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Air Forces Pacific, General Orders No. 402 (December 17, 1945)

    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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period 26 July 1944 to 18 December 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Dunham and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    460th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    November 24, 1944
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 31 (January 5, 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 Major (Air Corps) William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a Fighter Pilot of the 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Port Cataingan, Masbate, on 24 November 1944. Major Dunham, leading a formation of seven fighters, attacked an enemy convoy consisting of three freighters and a large gun boat. Despite the anti-aircraft fire thrown up from the vessels below, this officer and two of his wing men attacked the largest freighter, a ten-thousand-ton ship, opening fire as they came within strafing range. Major Dunham scored two direct hits by skip-bombing, and each of his wing men effected one direct hit. He then led the whole formation in fierce strafing attacks on the convoy. When this officer, running low on gas and ammunition, finally gathered his formation together for the return to base, the ten-thousand ton freighter had been sunk, one five-thousand-ton vessel partially sunk on a reef, a second five-thousand-ton ship gutted by fire and run aground, the gun boat had been rendered unserviceable, and an estimated 4,500 enemy personnel destroyed. The gallantry and leadership displayed by Major Dunham in this attack are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    460th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 21, 1943
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 10 (June 17, 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 Captain (Air Corps) William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Arawe, New Britain, on 21 December 1943. This officer was a flight leader in a formation of seven P-47’s patrolling over Allied shipping. By cleverly faking radio messages, the enemy lured the fighters out of position, but when the ships called for help, Captain Dunham, disregarding the possibility of attacks from above, led a determined diving attack on a formation of twenty-two dive bombers. In the next few minutes, he destroyed three Japanese planes. Approaching from the rear, he shot down the first aircraft in flames; he then pressed an attack to such close range on a second one that it crashed while resorting to violent evasive action; the third hostile bomber plunged to the earth after Captain Dunham closed behind it to a range of twenty-five feet and raked it with a sustained burst. He followed this with attacks on three other hostile aircraft, but was unable to destroy them, as five of his guns had jammed. Captain Dunham’s gallantry and complete disregard for his personal safety in his determination to engage the enemy are in keeping with the finest traditions of the Military Service.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    460th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    September 25, 1943 – January 1, 1944
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 159 (March 23, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain (Air Corps) William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in the Southwest Pacific area from 25 September 1943 to 1 January 1944. During this period, Captain Dunham participated in sustained operational activity against the enemy during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These flights included escorting bombers and transport aircraft, interception and attack missions, and patrol and reconnaissance flights. In the course of these operations, strafing and bombing attacks were made from dangerously low altitudes, destroying and damaging enemy installations and equipment. Throughout these operations, Captain Dunham displayed outstanding courage and devotion to duty.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    July 1, 1958 – April 1, 1961

    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 William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of Operations for the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing from 1 July 1958 to 1 April 1961. Colonel Dunham advanced the theory that the F-101A/C aircraft was capable of assuming an All-Weather Mission. Through his creative thinking and tireless personal effort Colonel Dunham overcame tremendous technical and psychological obstacles to prove and develop his theory. Through his direct efforts the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing mission has been changed to include an all-weather capability. In making this important mission change possible, Colonel Dunham has performed an invaluable service resulting in a highly increased combat effectiveness of these tactical forces, and in so doing has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    460th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 11, 1943
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 273 (November 13, 1943)

    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 Captain (Air Corps) William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Wewak, New Guinea, on 11 October 1943. Captain Dunham was a member of a flight of four P-47 type airplanes engaged on a mission to gain information of enemy strength and installations by visual reconnaissance. Shortly after the flight had made its sweep over Wewak, approximately fifty enemy aircraft were sighted approaching from the southeast along the coast. Despite overwhelming odds, the flight attacked the enemy airplanes and shot down nine enemy fighters before withdrawing to conserve enough fuel to return to a friendly airdrome.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    460th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 7, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 28 (February 11, 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 Major (Air Corps) William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), 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 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action near San Isidro Bay, Philippine Islands, on 7 December 1944. Major Dunham was lead pilot of a flight of nine fighter planes whose mission was to engage, disperse and destroy aerial cover provided by the enemy for their shipping convoy lying in San Isidro Bay. While en route to the objective at 18,000 feet, he sighted a formation of nine enemy fighters coming in from the northern end of Cebu, and immediately ordered an attack. Followed by his squadron he closed on the enemy in a diving turn and destroyed the lead plane. Observing an enemy fighter attacking one of his comrades from a position of temporary advantage he dived after it and shot it down. During this action his squadron destroyed five additional enemy aircraft, after which the remaining enemy fled. Major Dunham then proceeded toward the squadron’s rendezvous point over San Isidro Bay, and en route thereto was joined by another plane which flew wing position for him. As these two planes circled over the bay, Major Dunham observed four more enemy fighters about two thousand feet above them. He directed his wingman to accompany him in attack, closed on the enemy in a climbing turn, and with a short burst destroyed his third enemy plane. He then flew to a point directly astern another enemy plane, pursued it through a maneuver, and brought it down in flames. The wingman meanwhile destroyed one enemy plane, while the other fled and escaped. Major Dunham’s extraordinary flying skill, gallant leadership and heroism made it possible for our bombers to attack enemy shipping in San Isidro Bay unhampered by enemy fighter interception. Major Dunham’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the FIFTH Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    August 8, 1966 – July 9, 1967

    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 Colonel William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff/Operations, Headquarters SEVENTH Air Force, from 8 August 1966 to 9 July 1967. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight , and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by General Dunham resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the United States Air Force in countering aggression in the Republic of Vietnam. His vast combat experience enabled him to refine and improve the many-faceted air tactics used throughout Southeast Asia. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by General Dunham reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    460th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    348th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    October 16, 1943
    Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 261 (November 6, 1943)

    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 Captain (Air Corps) William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), United States Army Air Forces, for heroism and extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Fighter Pilot of the 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy over Madang, New Guinea, on 16 October 1943. Captain Dunham was leading a flight of P-47D2 type airplanes when a formation of seven enemy fighters was encountered. In the ensuing engagement he fired a burst into one fighter which burst into flames and crashed. He then attacked another fighter which was hit from a range of one hundred yards and was seen to crash into the sea.