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Joel
Benjamin
Paris
, III
December 7, 1922

–

March 9, 2014

Born:

Atlanta

, 

Georgia

Home:

Atlanta

, 

Georgia

Buried: 

Arlington

, 

Virginia

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

During World War II, Joel Paris became a U.S. Army Air Forces ACE, credited with shooting down 9 enemy aircraft in aerial combat. After the war he transferred to the new U.S. Air Force, and retired in 1970 as a Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Joel Benjamin Paris, III (ASN: 0-797888), 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-38 Fighter Pilot of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Air Force

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    August 1968 – October 1970

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Joel Benjamin Paris, III (ASN: 0-797888), United States Air Force, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States, culminating as Assistant for Air National Guard Affairs in the Strike Forces Division at Headquarters U.S. Air Force in the Pentagon from August 1968 until October 1970. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Paris culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    December 20, 1944
    Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 672 (May 3, 1945)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Joel Benjamin Paris, III (ASN: 0-797888), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy Pilot of a P-38 Thunderbolt Fighter Airplane of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action over the Mindoro area, Philippine Islands, on 20 December 1944. Captain Paris led a flight of three P-38 aircraft escorting a Catalina amphibian to our beachhead on Mindoro. When his wingman left the formation to pursue an enemy airplane, eight or ten hostile fighters dived out of the clouds and attacked the two remaining P-38’s from all directions. During the attack, a 20 mm. shell tore a hole in the canopy close to his head. Though stunned by the force of the explosion, Captain Paris retained control of his airplane and quickly instructed the PBY to land in the bay under the protection of Allied anti-aircraft guns. Then, without regard for the heavy odds against him, he turned into the enemy formation, and while being attacked from both sides, drove a fighter away from the tail of one of the P-38’s and sent the hostile plane, trailing smoke, into a cloud. Skillfully evading other attacks, he went after a fighter which was closing in on the other P-38 and destroyed the Japanese plane with a tail shot. Throughout the battle he continued to give the Catalina such close protection that the enemy fighters were unable to get at it and were finally forced to flee from the area. The bravery, skill and outstanding devotion to duty displayed by Captain Paris during this flight reflect the highest traditions of the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Captain (Air Corps)

    Batallion:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Joel Benjamin Paris, III (ASN: 0-797888), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-38 Fighter Pilot of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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:

    7th Fighter Squadron

    Regiment:

    49th Fighter Group

    Division:

    5th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Captain (Air Corps) Joel Benjamin Paris, III (ASN: 0-797888), 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-38 Fighter Pilot of the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action against the enemy in aerial combat in the Pacific 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.