The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Paul John Mueller (ASN: 0-3808), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the 81st Infantry Division from August 1942 to September 1944, and from October 1944 to May 1945. Soon after the division was organized, he set exceptionally high standards of training while within the United States and succeeded in imbuing his command with an outstanding offensive combat spirit. Unusually imaginative and attentive to duty, he devised novel training methods and brought his division to an enviable state of efficiency. When his force moved overseas, he continued to perfect its performance and make it ready for operation in the Palau Islands, where elements of the 81st Division captured Bloody Nose Ridge on Peleliu. Thereafter he organized the defense of that island and completed the occupation of additional atolls in the group. General MuellerÕs dynamic leadership and constant bold direction contributed materially to the success of operations against the Japanese. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Mueller and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

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 Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Paul John Mueller (ASN: 0-3808), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General of the 81st Infantry Division in the Southwest Pacific Area and Japan from August 1945 to April 1946. Major General Mueller directed the complex movement of his division to northern Honshu, Japan, provided for the orderly disarmament of Japanese troops, and solved the manifold problems incident to the administration and governing of an occupied devastated area. Subsequently in the Philippine Islands, he skillfully directed mopping-up operations to reduce recalcitrant Japanese forces on Lubang Island and Bicol Peninsula, and he supervised the rapid readjustment of great numbers of personnel. Through his sound judgment and effective leadership, General Mueller contributed materially to the successful operations in the Southwest Pacific Area and to the early phases of the occupation of Japan. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Major General Mueller and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.