Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in awarding the Defense Superior Service Medal for exceptional service as Deputy Commander in Chief and Chief of Staff, United States Atlantic Command, from June 1987 to September 1989. General Doran’s extraordinary performance of duty was characterized by his stalwart leadership and meticulous management of the United States Commander in Chief Atlantic Command headquarters staff and the United States Atlantic Command’s sub-unified commands. In a position of key responsibility, his unmatched military expertise and sagacious foresight made him the perfect choice for the second in command of United States Atlantic Command’s 45 million square miles of ocean area of responsibility and the 250,000 military personnel, 311 ships, 27 strategic ballistic missile submarines and more than 2,000 aircraft that make up the command. His strong guidance and sound professional judgment, time and time again, ensured outstanding results in every aspect of his responsibilities. The distinctive accomplishments of General Doran culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
January 31, 1983 – July 1, 1987
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General John Joseph Doran, Jr. (AFSN: 0-47695), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Headquarters Strategic Air Command, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, from 31 January 1983 to 1 July 1987. In this critical assignment, General Doran exercised dynamic leadership and tireless dedication in his direction of an unprecedented number of logistics programs that immensely improved Strategic Air Command readiness posture. General Doran’s cumulative achievements were unparalleled in the Strategic Air Command’s history. During this period, General Doran’s matchless leadership generated long overdue reorganizations of the command’s maintenance and supply forces, the completion of literally hundreds of aircraft modernization programs, the fielding of two new weapons systems, and countless other programs that bolstered the Strategic Air Command’s readiness. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Doran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
July 18, 1974 – March 1, 1979
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel John Joseph Doran, Jr. (AFSN: 0-47695), United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while assigned to the 379th Bombardment Wing, Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, from 18 July 1974 to 1 March 1979. During this period, Colonel Doran served as the Deputy Commander for Operations, Vice Commander and Commander of the 379th Bombardment Wing. The outstanding leadership, superb management ability, and exemplary foresight consistently demonstrated by Colonel Doran in these key positions resulted in significant contributions to the Strategic Air Command’s mission of strategic deterrence by substantially improving the readiness, effectiveness, and mission capability of the Wing’s combat resources. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Doran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1248 (April 27, 1968)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 Major John Joseph Doran, Jr. (AFSN: 0-47695), United States Air Force, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as an O-2A Pilot in Southeast Asia on 3 March 1968. On that date, Major Doran, flying his unarmed aircraft at low altitudes and under extremely marginal reconnaissance conditions, directed fighter aircraft against hostile transportation facilities. Despite this fact that he was operating a day-restricted aircraft during night conditions and was subjected to intense anti-aircraft fire, Major Doran successfully impeded the hostile convoy movement and controlled attacks which resulted in the destruction of the convoy. The professional competence, aerial skill, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Doran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-1361 (May 7, 1968)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 with Combat “V” to Major John Joseph Doran, Jr. (AFSN: 0-47695), United States Air Force, for heroism while participating in aerial flight as a Forward Air Controller directing fighter aircraft in Southeast Asia on 14 December 1967. On that night, Major Doran flew his unarmed observation aircraft deep into hostile territory and located two large truck convoys. Remaining in the area for over four hours, he directed numerous fighter aircraft in the destruction of the valuable logistics equipment. During the entire mission, Major Doran was well within the effective range of hostile anti-aircraft artillery and was in constant peril of being hit by barrage type anti-aircraft fire. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Doran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Headquarters, 7th Air Force, Special Orders No. G-3023 (October 5, 1968)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Major John Joseph Doran, Jr. (AFSN: 0-47695), United States Air Force, for heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force as a Forward Air Controller directing fighter aircraft in Southeast Asia on 27 February 1968. On that night, Major Doran flew his unarmed O-2A aircraft deep into unfriendly territory on an extremely dangerous mission. In the target area, he was continually subjected to intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire by the hostile forces. With complete and utter disregard for his own personal safety, he remained well within the range of the deadly guns for over three hours while he directed multiple fighter aircraft against hostile truck convoys and anti-aircraft positions. The outstanding heroism and selfless devotion to duty displayed by Major Doran reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.