Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Paul
Albert
Conger
May 3, 1918

–

August 20, 1994

Born:

Los Angeles

, 

California

Home:

Beverly Hills

, 

California

During World War II, Paul Conger became a U.S. Army Air Forces DOUBLE ACE, credited with shooting down 11.5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. He left military service briefly after the end of the war, but returned to service in the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1957 as a Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Paul Albert Conger (ASN: 0-661193), 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 as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Paul Albert Conger (ASN: 0-661193), 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 as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Paul Albert Conger (ASN: 0-661193), 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 as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Paul Albert Conger (ASN: 0-661193), 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 as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 11, 1943
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 26 (April 29, 1944)

    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 Captain (Air Corps) Paul Albert Conger (ASN: 0-661193), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 11 December 1943. On this date Captain Conger led a flight of P-47 fighters on a bomber escort mission against a military installation in a heavily defended area near Emden, Germany. Observing a large number of rocket-carrying enemy planes, escorted by fighters forming for attack against the bombers, Captain Conger, with complete disregard for the danger involved led his flight in a vicious attack against the enemy formation during which he destroyed one enemy plane and damaged another. In this encounter Captain Conger and his wingmen by aggressive, skillful flying, and accurate gun fire dispersed a vastly superior force and prevented harm to the bombers. After regaining altitude, Captain Conger saw an ME 110 fighter flying with a JU 88 fighter and immediately attacked them, following the JU 88 to an extremely low altitude and destroying it. He then turned into the ME 110 fighter and attacked with such a fury that he forced the enemy to crash into the sea. By his extraordinary flying skill, gallant leadership, and great courage, Captain Conger rendered outstanding distinguished and valorous service to our nation.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    61st Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    56th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Paul Albert Conger (ASN: 0-661193), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 61st Fighter Squadron, 56th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the European 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.