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.