During World War II, Paul McArthur became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1966 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
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During World War II, Paul McArthur became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 5 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1966 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
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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 First Lieutenant (Air Corps) Paul Graham McArthur (ASN: 0-659742), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-40 Fighter Airplane in the 87th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 10 June 1943. Lieutenant McArthur on a patrol mission in the Middle East Theater engaged five enemy fighter aircraft. While shooting down the first enemy plane, the engine of his own airplane was damaged by enemy fire. Lieutenant McArthur with great courage, superior skill, and dogged determination overcoming the handicap of a damaged engine, destroyed three additional enemy aircraft and damaged another. By this time his own airplane was in such condition he was forced to abandon it over the sea. The extraordinary heroism of Lieutenant McArthur reflects great credit to himself and to the Army Air Forces.