The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major William Wilson Douglass (AFSN: FV-3037068), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a member of a two-man Forward Air Control team and Pilot of the 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Phu Cat Air Base, Vietnam, FAR EAST Air Forces, operating over North Vietnam, on 24 August 1967. On that date, Major Douglass directed four flights of strike fighters against two active 37 millimeter anti-aircraft artillery sites which were preventing successful interdiction operations along a heavily traveled supply route. In order to positively identify the targets to each succeeding strike flight, Major Douglass had to repeatedly dive through extremely intense barrage fire from the two coordinated anti-aircraft artillery sites. Despite the extreme personal danger, Major Douglass and his fellow crew member delivered their marking rockets precisely on target and enabled the strike fighters to identify and neutralize the threat to subsequent flights in the area. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Douglass has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
612th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
37th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Phu Cat Air Base, VietnamAction Date:
August 5, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Order G-1858 (October 28, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major William Wilson Douglass (AFSN: FV-3037068), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller and Pilot of the 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, Phu Cat Air Base, Vietnam, PACIFIC Air Forces, in action over North Vietnam, on 5 August 1967. On that date, Major Douglass discovered two extremely lucrative and well-defended targets in his reconnaissance area. Through use of three in-flight refuelings, the Forward Air Controller team penetrated the highly defended area to direct strike aircraft against the targets until he had expended all of his fourteen marking rockets. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, he repeatedly penetrated extremely intense hostile anti-aircraft artillery fire. As a result of his courageous actions, great damage was inflicted upon the hostile supply lines and their defenses. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Major Douglass has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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 William Wilson Douglass (AFSN: FV-3037068), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-100D Fighter Pilot in the Junction City operational area, Republic of Vietnam on 31 March 1967. On that date, Major Douglass made numerous, accurate and deadly ordnance deliveries against a heavily armed and entrenched hostile force engaged in battle with a friendly unit. In spite of heavy automatic weapons and small arms fire Major Douglass pressed his attacks, inflicting heavy casualties and relieving a hard pressed friendly ground unit and contributed to the ultimate victory of that unit. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Douglass reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.