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.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
81st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 21 & November 13, 1944
Headquarters, U.S. Forces, Pacific, General Orders No. 248 & 257 (1946)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 General Paul John Mueller (ASN: 0-3808), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding General of the 81st Infantry Division, in action against the enemy in the South Pacific area, on 21 September and 13 November 1944. During a fiercely contested attack by the 1st Battalion, 322d Infantry Regiment, against a strongly fortified enemy position in Angaur Island, Palau Group, General Mueller went into the front lines in order to observe closely and direct the action. His courage under fire inspired the troops and spurred them on to vigorous assault as hostile resistance was readily overcome. Following the successful annihilation of resistance in Angaur and the deployment of division elements to Peleliu Island, he visited frontline positions of the 23d Infantry Regiment in its advance into the Big Valley, a powerful enemy stronghold. He undertook careful observations of Japanese terrain and maintained his forward position while the men of the regiment, heartened by his presence, pressed forward relentlessly against the enemy. Through his courageous actions and gallantry under fire, Major General Mueller made an inspiring contribution to the success of the 81st Infantry Division in operations against the enemy in the Palau Group. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major General Mueller, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
81st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
1942 – 1945
War Department, General Orders No. 75 (1945)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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major (Infantry)Batallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
64th Infantry RegimentDivision:
7th Division, American Expeditionary ForcesAction Date:
World War I
Headquarters, 7th Division, A.E.F., Citation Orders(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Paul John Mueller (ASN: 0-3808), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 64th Infantry, American Expeditionary Forces, in France, during World War I. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Mueller, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Major GeneralDivision:
81st Infantry DivisionAction Date:
September 17 – October 14, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Paul John Mueller (ASN: 0-3808), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States during the attack on Angaur, Palau Islands, from 17 September 1944 to 14 October 1944. Major General Mueller, as Commanding General of the 81st Infantry Division, demonstrated outstanding leadership and professional ability in executing a landing against an island highly prized by the Japanese. Confronted initially by difficult beaches and jungle growth, General Mueller skillfully maneuvered his command with such professional ability that he was able to launch an aggressive assault and drive the island’s defenders into a single pocket of resistance on the coast. After the enemy was driven back to his prepared positions, General Mueller directed a succession of assaults which steadily reduced the hostile position. In maneuvering thus, he was confronted with extremely difficult terrain consisting of low hills and ridges, sharp coral pinnacles, and caves, with no roads giving access thereto. The enemy resisted desperately and General Mueller repeatedly occupied forward positions in order to better direct his forces. Concurrently, he had the responsibility of initiating development of an air base and was handicapped by unfavorable unloading and beach conditions. He commanded his division in a cool, courageous manner and demonstrated his ability as an outstanding leader. Prior to the operation he organized the reinforced division, supervised and coordinated its training, and perfected it for combat.