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 Anthony Seymour, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while assigned to the Pacific Division, Operations Directorate, Joint Staff, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from 15 July 1972 to 14 July 1976. In this important assignment, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Seymour resulted in significant contributions to the military operations in Southeast Asia and the disengagement of the United States from that conflict. He demonstrated exceptional skill and knowledge in providing staff guidance and recommendations to the overall planning of the air campaign against North Vietnam, United States strikes and re-supply operations in Cambodia, the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the noncombatant and evacuation operations in Cambodia and Vietnam, and the recovery operations for the MAYAGUEZ and crew. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Seymour reflect great credit upon himself, the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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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 Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 15, 1976 – September 11, 1979
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-612 (October 16, 1979)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Paul Anthony Seymour, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Foreign Military Training Division and Chief, Western Regional Division, Directorate of International Programs, Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs and Evaluation, Headquarters United States Air Force, from 15 July 1976 to 11 September 1979. In this important assignment, the superior leadership, exemplary management skills and untiring devotion to duty consistently demonstrated by Colonel Seymour resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the United States Air Force Military Training Program for foreign military students, and the United States Security Assistance Programs in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. His skills as a diplomat and negotiator were manifestly apparent by the fact that the was regularly selected to lead high level Security Assistance teams for in-country meetings. His achievements in a position of unique responsibility have helped strengthen the national policy of the United States. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Seymour culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country, and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
MajorBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, 7th Air ForceAction Date:
July 5, 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 a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star to Major Paul Anthony Seymour, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, SEVENTH Air Force, over North Vietnam, on 5 July 1967. On that date, Major Seymour was the Force Commander of a mission against the vital northeast railroad between Hanoi and Red China. He led the force expertly to the formidable defended target and delivered all ordnance on target in spite of the intense and accurate flak. Major Seymour rescued one of the pilots shot down on the strike even though exposed to hostile ground fire and threat of interception by hostile aircraft and surface-to-air missiles. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Major Seymour has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, Pacific Air Force, Special Orders G-1566 (1972)(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major Paul Anthony Seymour, United States Air Force, 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 in Southeast Asia.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, 7th Air ForceAction Date:
May 13, 1967
Headquarters, Pacific Air Force, Special Orders G-1566 (1972)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross with Combat “V” to Captain Paul Anthony Seymour, United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an F-105 Pilot in Southeast Asia on 13 May 1967. On that date, Captain Seymour was a member of the first flight assigned the mission of destroying a key hostile rail junction and classification yard. Even though adverse weather was a definite handicap in acquiring the assigned target, Captain Seymour successfully delivered his ordnance in the target area and silenced several anti-aircraft batteries thereby fulfilling his flak suppression role and relieving much of the pressure on the trailing bomb flights. As his flight egressed the target area they observed a flight of MiG interceptors attacking another flight in the area and immediately attacked the hostile aircraft. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Seymour continued his attack on the MiG interceptors until he had damaged one; his flight leader damaged another and the hostile aircraft had been driven from the area. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Seymour reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
CaptainBatallion:
354th Tactical Fighter SquadronRegiment:
355th Tactical Fighter WingDivision:
Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, 7th Air ForceAction Date:
April 19, 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 Captain Paul Anthony Seymour, United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as Pilot of an F-105 Thunderchief of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli Royal Thai Air Base, SEVENTH Air Force, near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 19 April 1967. On that date, Captain Seymour was a member of a flight of fighter-bombers which successfully attacked and destroyed a heavily defended hostile training and storage area. Captain Seymour fearlessly engaged numerous hostile interceptors on ingress and egress from the target and returned to the target area for rescue operations in spite of a dangerously low fuel state. His selfless courage was directly instrumental in the successful defense of another pilot under attack by several hostile interceptors. By his gallantry and devotion to duty, Captain Seymour has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.