Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Melvyn
Robert
Paisley
October 9, 1924

–

December 19, 2001

Born:

Portland

, 

Oregon

Home:

Portland

, 

Oregon

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

During World War II, Melvyn Paisley became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 8 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. Returning to the private sector after the war, in 1981 President Ronald Reagan appointed him Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Engineering and Systems.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    390th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    366th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 32 (February 24, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Melvyn Robert Paisley (ASN: 0-774289), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Airplane of the 390th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Paisley, 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    390th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    366th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 9th Air Force, General Orders No. 67 (May 9, 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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Melvyn Robert Paisley (ASN: 0-774289), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt Fighter Airplane of the 390th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group, 9th Air Force, in aerial operations in the European Theater of Operations, during World War II. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Second Lieutenant Paisley, 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.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    390th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    366th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Melvyn Robert Paisley (ASN: 0-774289), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-47 Fighter Pilot of the 390th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group, NINTH 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:

    Second Lieutenant (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    390th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    366th Fighter Group

    Division:

    9th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 1, 1945
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 29 (March 23, 1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: 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 Second Lieutenant (Air Corps) Melvyn Robert Paisley (ASN: 0-774289), 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 390th Fighter Squadron, 366th Fighter Group, NINTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 1 January 1945, during an air mission in the European Theater of Operations. On this date Second Lieutenant Paisley shot down four enemy aircraft in a single engagement. Second Lieutenant Paisley’s unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 9th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces.