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 Paul Page Douglas, Jr. (AFSN: FR-8073/ASN: 0-432187), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Investigation and Field Operations Division, Directorate of Flight Safety Research, Office of the Inspector General, Norton Air Force Base, California, from 8 August 1955 to 30 November 1957. During this period, Colonel Douglas developed procedures which will further reduce an already low rate of aircraft accidents. As a result of his efforts, various programs were initiated which materially assisted Air Force units in their conversion to new and different type aircraft. Colonel Douglas’ modifications and application of the concept of operations safety services have provided commanders a method to analyze all factors affecting the safe and effective accomplishment of their assigned mission. Colonel Douglas displayed outstanding initiative and ability in establishing the Annual World Wide Flying Safety Officers Conference which has resulted in an Air Force wide identification of critical operational deficiencies and unified actions to achieve prompt remedial action. Through his high sense of responsibility and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Douglas has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.