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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 Lieutenant General Carl Andrew Spaatz (ASN: 0-3706/AFSN: AO-3706), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. General Spaatz directed the planning and forming of the TWELFTH Air Force. Later, he commanded this Air Force until its absorption into the Northwest African Air Force, of which he assumed command. His resourcefulness, courage, organizational ability, technical knowledge and forceful personality crated a spirit of determination, confidence, and cooperation among the members of the Air Forces of three nations under his command and has borne fruit in the outstanding aerial successes achieved in the Tunisian Campaign. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Spaatz and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Corps

    Rank:

    Major (Air Corps)

    Action Date:

    January 1 – 7, 1929
    War Department, General Orders No. 7 (1929)

    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 Major (Air Corps) Carl Andrew Spaatz (ASN: 0-3706/AFSN: AO-3706), U.S. Army Air Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. From 1 to 7 January 1929, Major Spaatz commanded the airplane Question Mark on a refueling flight, at and near Los Angeles, California, which remained in the air a total of 150 hours, 40 minutes and 15 seconds, a period of continuous flight longer than and previous flight ever accomplished. By his endurance, resourcefulness, and leadership he demonstrated future possibilities in aviation which were heretofore not appreciated, and thus reflect great credit upon himself and the Army of the United States.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    September 26, 1947 – April 30, 1948
    Department of the Army, General Orders No. 40 (June 11, 1948)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to General Carl Andrew Spaatz (ASN: 0-3706/AFSN: AO-3706), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility culminating as Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force from 26 September 1947 to 30 April 1948. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Spaatz culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1943 – 1944
    War Department, General Orders No. 84 (October 28, 1944)

    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 Lieutenant General Carl Andrew Spaatz (ASN: 0-3706/AFSN: AO-3706), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, including the 12th Air Force in Africa and the 15th Air Force and the Royal Air Force in Italy from 1943 to 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Spaatz and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Major (Air Service)

    Batallion:

    3d Aero Squadron

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 26, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 123 (1918)

    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 Service) Carl Andrew Spaatz (ASN: 0-3706/AFSN: AO-3706), United States Army Air Service, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 3d Aero Squadron, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., during the St. Mihiel offensive, 26 September 1918. Although he had received orders to go to the United States, Major Spaatz begged for and received permission to serve with a pursuit squadron at the front. Subordinating himself to men of lower rank, he was attached to a squadron as a pilot and saw continuous and arduous service through the offensive. As a result of his efficient work he was promoted to the position of night commander. Knowing that another attack was to take place in the vicinity of Verdun, he remained on duty in order to take part. On the day of the attack west of the Meuse, while with his patrol over enemy lines, a number of enemy aircraft were encountered. In the combat that followed he succeeded in bringing down three enemy planes. In his ardor and enthusiasm he became separated from his patrol while following another enemy far beyond the lines. His gasoline giving out, he was forced to land and managed to land within friendly territory. Through these acts he became an inspiration and example to all men with whom he was associated.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    September 1944 – May 1945
    War Department General Orders No. 67 (August 13, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Carl Andrew Spaatz (ASN: 0-3706/AFSN: AO-3706), United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commander, U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe, in the European Theater of Operations from September 1944 to May 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Spaatz and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    1943

    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 General Carl Andrew Spaatz (ASN: 0-3706/AFSN: AO-3706), United States Army Air Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States. As Commanding General of the EIGHTH Air Force, General Spaatz was unusually successful in the solution of difficult problems of air organization, quartering, training and maintenance in the European Theater. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Spaatz and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.