Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Donald
James Matthew
Blakeslee
September 11, 1918

–

September 3, 2008

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery (Cremated)

Donald Blakeslee resigned his commission on September 13, 1940, in order to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. After training in Canada, Blakeslee began flying combat missions in England in May 1941, while assigned to 401 Squadron of the RCAF. He was credited with 3 aerial victories by the time he joined the American volunteer 133 Eagle Squadron of the British Royal Air Force as its commanding officer in July 1942. Blakeslee destroyed 2 enemy aircraft before the Eagle Squadrons were absorbed into the U.S. Army Air Forces. He became a DOUBLE ACE during World War II, and was credited with a total of 14.5 aerial combat victories. He subsequently flew combat in the Korean War before retiring in 1965 as a U.S. Air Force Colonel.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 24 (March 28, 1944)

    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 Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Matthew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Lieutenant Colonel Blakeslee has accomplished thirty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe and has destroyed two enemy airplanes in aerial combat. 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    August 9 – December 19, 1943
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 89 (February 24, 1944)

    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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Matthew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, while leading his Fighter Group on thirty-eight missions over enemy occupied Europe, during the period of 9 August 1943 to 19 December 1943. Most of these were bomber escort missions and entailed deep penetrations into strongly defended enemy territory. Under the gallant leadership of Colonel Blakeslee, his units have on all occasions furnished excellent support for the bombers and have aggressively sought out the enemy, accounting for the destruction of fifty enemy aircraft and damage to many more. This brilliant record has been achieved with only minor losses to units under his command. The gallantry, determination and skillful leadership displayed by Colonel Blakeslee have been a constant inspiration to all serving with him and reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Matthew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force 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 Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Matthew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force 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 Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 45 (May 29, 1944)

    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 Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Matthew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight and the destruction of two enemy airplanes over enemy occupied Continental Europe, while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force 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.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 174 (October 1, 1943)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Matthew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force in the European Theater of Operations while leading his Fighter Group on sixty-six combat missions over enemy occupied Europe during World War II. During this period his unit destroyed ten enemy aircraft, probably destroyed one and severely damaged five others. Colonel Blakeslee has personally destroyed two enemy fighters in aerial combat. His brilliant leadership, courage and skill in combat have been a constant inspiration to all serving under him and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    June 21 – July 5, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 58 (August 30, 1944)

    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 Distinguished Service Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Matthew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces during the period from 21 June 21 to 5 July 1944. During this period Colonel Blakeslee led a fighter escort in protection of bombers on the longest escort mission in fighter plane history, the first shuttle mission from England to Russia and return by way of Italy. On this unprecedented mission Colonel Blakeslee overcame the obstacles of poor navigational facilities, adverse weather, and enemy fighter opposition in such a manner that no bombers were lost while being escorted. While sweeping in front of the oncoming bombers on the mission over Budapest on 2 July 1944, he observed 50 enemy single-engine aircraft above him and about to attack the bombers. He immediately led his flight of four aircraft to attack, disregarding all odds and disadvantage of altitude. Joined later by his quadroon’s two other flights, the enemy attack was completely disrupted and ten of his aircraft destroyed- -Colonel Blakeslee personally destroying one of them. His courageous leadership and heroic action on these occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    January 7, 1944
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Air Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 23 (April 15, 1944)

    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 Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Matthew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-51 Fighter Airplane in the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces in the vicinity of Headin, France. Colonel Blakeslee, on 7 January 1944, after engaging a flight of six enemy aircraft intent on the destruction of crippled and straggling heavy bombers, observed ten to twelve FW-190’s attacking unescorted bombers which were above him. Though attacked by three enemy aircraft from astern and flying into heavy and accurate fire which struck and damaged his aircraft, Colonel Blakeslee, disregarding damage, unfavorable altitude, obscured vision from spraying oil, and enemy superiority, climbed into the mass of enemy aircraft which he attacked and scattered, pursuing one of them through the haze to 2,000 feet, where he destroyed it before escape could be accomplished. Colonel Blakeslee’s courage, aggressiveness, and will to destroy the enemy in the face of overwhelming odds reflect the greatest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Matthew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force 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 Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Colonel (Air Corps)

    Regiment:

    4th Fighter Group

    Division:

    8th Air Force

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 50 (June 17, 1944

    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 addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Matthew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the destruction of five enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe, while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force 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.