The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane in the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Palau Islands, on 1 August 1944. Colonel MacDonald was leading a four-plane flight of P-38s on an armed reconnaissance mission over the Palau Islands when a large enemy lugger was sighted. In four strafing passes, he and his flight left the vessel burning fiercely in a dense column of smoke. Continuing the flight, the P-38s encountered two enemy float-type fighter planes, one of which Colonel MacDonald attacked. Flaming after a three-second burst from his guns, the plane fell out of control and crashed into the water. Soon afterward, when one of three enemy fighters circling above made a diving pass on one of the planes of his flight, he and his wingman turned toward the hostile fighter and forced it to break off its attack. Despite the danger from the enemy fighters above, he then led an attack against a dive-bomber which was sighted flying out to sea at minimum altitude. As he fired on the dive-bomber and sent it crashing into the water, another Japanese fighter dived on an airplane of his formation. Again he turned toward the enemy, and in a climbing dog-fight, the enemy plane, badly damaged by another of the P-38s, was forced to cease fighting. In this series of actions, Lieutenant Colonel MacDonald demonstrated the highest type of initiative, leadership and courage.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Service Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat 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:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat 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:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat 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:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), 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 a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat 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:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat 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 Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
December 7, 1944
Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 89 (April 22, 1945)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 Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over Ormoc Bay, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 7 December 1944. During the surprise landing of troops from an allied convoy at Ormoc Bay, Colonel MacDonald voluntarily led a two-plane flight of P-38’s to join another flight covering the friendly shipping. On approaching the area he sighted three enemy fighters heading for our convoy, and with complete disregard for his own safety he promptly attacked the enemy flight leader. Pressing his attack close, he shot down one enemy fighter and assisted in the destruction of another. Returning to his home base for refueling, Colonel MacDonald again took off, this time leading a flight of four P-38’s. While on patrol, a formation approximating seven enemy fighters jumped his flight from the rear, shooting down number three man. Though outnumbered more than two to one, Colonel MacDonald skillfully forced two of the enemy planes to break flight and in the ensuing dog-fight personally accounted for two more enemy planes, and set up another for his wing man who shot it down, thus again breaking up an enemy attack at a critical time and saving much valuable shipping. His initiative, aggressiveness and outstanding leadership in these actions enabled him to destroy three enemy aircraft and contribute to the destruction of two more, bringing his total victories to twenty-four. Colonel MacDonald’s heroic action and example of leadership exemplify the highest traditions of the military service.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, culminating in 1961. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel MacDonald 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.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 830 (May 18, 1945)(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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Lightning Fighter Airplane of the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial operations in the Southwest Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Lieutenant Colonel MacDonald, 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 Flying Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
World War II
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), 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 a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat 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 Service Cross
Service:
United States Army Air ForcesRank:
Colonel (Air Corps)Regiment:
475th Fighter GroupDivision:
5th Air ForceAction Date:
December 25, 1944
Headquarters, U.S. Forces-Pacific, General Orders No. 123 (August 20, 1945)(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 Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Charles Henry MacDonald (ASN: 0-22518), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-38 Fighter Airplane in the 475th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 25 December 1944, in the Southwest Pacific Area of Operations. On that date, Colonel MacDonald shot down THREE enemy aircraft in a single engagement. It was the second time in less than three weeks that he shot down three aircraft in a single mission. Colonel MacDonald’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 5th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.