The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an 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 Captain Paul L. Chesley (AFSN: FV-3087539), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a member of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action near Hanoi, North Vietnam, on 21 May 1967. On that date, Captain Chesley was the Electronic Warfare Officer in the lead surface-to-air missile “Hunter-Killer” F-105, with the mission of night surface-to-air missile site suppression in support of a strike against a major hostile target. Captain Chesley provided the necessary directions to attack and destroy two active sites even though required to evade two missiles by diving to fifty feet above ground level at night. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Chesley has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Awards Received
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Silver Star
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air force, Special Order G-621 (May 1, 1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Paul L. Chesley (AFSN: FV-3087539), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an Electronic Warfare Officer of an F-105 Thunderchief in Southeast Asia on 29 January 1967. On that date, Captain Chesley displayed great courage after his flight leader had been shot down. In spite of the intense and accurate anti-aircraft artillery fire, Captain Chesley succeeded in neutralizing the threat posed by several surface-to-air missile sites thereby allowing the main strike force to successfully destroy their target. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Captain Chesley 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 SquadronAction Date:
April 26, 1967
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders G-1046 (1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Paul L. Chesley (AFSN: FV-3087539), United States Air Force, for gallantry in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as an Electronic Warfare Officer of an F-105 Thunderchief “Wild Weasel” of the 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron, in action in Southeast Asia on 26 April 1967. On that date, Captain Chesley was in the lead of a flight of four surface-to-air missile suppression aircraft. After one of the flight members had been downed by a surface-to-air missile north of the Red River, Captain Chesley performed a ESCAP in an extremely hazardous location. He then directed the attack on multiple surface-to-air missile sites in order to provide protection to a strike force of aircraft executed against a very important transformer and power station. After these gallant attacks which prevented surface-to-air launches at the strike aircraft Captain Chesley again proceeded to RESCAP the downed crew members. After departing the area because of low fuel, the aircraft then refueled and returned across the Red River despite MiG warnings, to perform RESCAP without any supporting aircraft, until forced to leave because of critically low fuel state. By his gallantry and devotion to duty Captain Chesley has reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air force, Special Order G-970 (1967)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Captain Paul L. Chesley (AFSN: FV-3087539), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as an Electronics Warfare Officer of an F-105 Thunderchief “Wild Weasel” in Southeast Asia on 19 April 1967. On that date, Captain Chesley was a member of a surface-to-air missile suppression flight whose mission was to protect a large strike force of fighter-bombers from surprise interception by surface-to-air missiles. As Captain Chesley approached the heavily defended target area, he was attacked by eight hostile aircraft. Because of an afterburner malfunction, the F-105 Thunderchief was not able to perform in its maximum speed and maneuvering range. Captain Chesley provided timely warning concerning the attacking aircraft that allowed the pilot to concentrate on maneuvering the aircraft to evade attack. After successfully evading the attacking aircraft without damage, Captain Chesley continued to give surface-to-air missile warnings to the strike flight while returning to orbit in a high threat area as the pilot relayed vital information concerning a downed aircrew member. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Captain Chesley reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.