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) I. B. Jack Donalson (ASN: 0-424927), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a Pilot with the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group (then with 21st Pursuit Squadron), over Darwin Area, Northern Territory, Australia, on 30 July 1942. This officer was engaged in an interceptional mission when he contacted a formation of enemy fighters. In the ensuing battle, Lieutenant Donalson shot down one Zero type airplane, which was the fifth enemy aircraft he had destroyed in aerial combat. This action is worthy of commendation.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
21st Pursuit SquadronRegiment:
5th Interceptor CommandDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 11 (September 30, 1942)(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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) I. B. Jack Donalson (ASN: 0-424927), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 21st Pursuit Squadron, 5th Interceptor Command, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1942. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Donalson, 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 Air Forces.
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Distinguished Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps), (then Second Lieutenant)Batallion:
21st Pursuit SquadronRegiment:
5th Interceptor CommandDivision:
Far East Air ForceAction Date:
February 1942
Headquarters, South West Pacific Area, General Orders No. 19 (August 7, 1942)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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps), (then Second Lieutenant) I. B. Jack Donalson (ASN: 0-424927), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 21st Pursuit Squadron, 5th Interceptor Command, FAR EAST Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on Bataan Peninsula, Philippine Islands, in February 1942. When the remnants of an enemy landing party, numbering approximately seventy-five men, firmly entrenched along the shore under a cliff on the western coast of Bataan, were able to repulse with heavy losses all overland attempts to dislodge them, volunteers were called for to undertake an attack from the sea in two small boats. Lieutenant Donalson volunteered, commanded one of the boats, and in spite of heavy fire from the defenders and bombing, during the course of the attack, by nine enemy dive-bombers, succeeded in neutralizing the enemy position, thereby preventing further losses to our forces. First Lieutenant Donalson’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
9th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
49th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) I. B. Jack Donalson (ASN: 0-424927), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane in the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
9th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
49th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) I. B. Jack Donalson (ASN: 0-424927), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Pilot of a Fighter Airplane in the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
First Lieutenant (Air Corps)Batallion:
9th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
49th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 20 (October 12, 1942)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) I. B. Jack Donalson (ASN: 0-424927), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40) Fighter Airplane in the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Donalson, 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 Air Forces.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Captain (Air Corps)Batallion:
9th Fighter SquadronRegiment:
49th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, 5th Air Force, General Orders No. 26 (October 31, 1942)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) I. B. Jack Donalson (ASN: 0-424927), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40) Fighter Airplane in the 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations, in 1943. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by First Lieutenant Donalson, 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 Air Forces.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 20, 1967 – May 31, 1968
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 Colonel I. B. Jack Donalson (ASN: 0-424927), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States on the Staff of the 1151st Special Activities Squadron at Ent Air Force Base. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Donalson culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.