Paul P. Douglas Jr.
Paul Page Douglas Jr (April 23, 1919 – December 26, 2002) was a flag officer in the United States Air Force, and an ace.
Paul Page Douglas Jr | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | April 23, 1919 Paragould, Arkansas |
| Died | December 26, 2002 (aged 83) Bertram, Texas |
| Place of burial | Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, Texas |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |  |
| Years of service | 1939–1970 |
| Rank |  |
| Unit | 368th Fighter Group 388th Tactical Fighter Wing |
| Commands held | 321st Fighter Squadron 396th Fighter Squadron 368th Fighter Group 36th Fighter Group 48th Fighter Group 22d Fighter Squadron 21st Fighter-Bomber Group 1400th Operations Group 474th Tactical Fighter Wing 41st Air Division 388th Tactical Fighter Wing 836th Air Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II Vietnam War |
| Awards |       |
| Relations | Sarah Chandler (Wife) |
During World War II, he flew the P-47 Thunderbolt in the European Theater of Operations and became one of the most highly decorated combat aces of the war.
Douglas served as Commander of the 36th Fighter Group in Germany from April to June 1945. After V-E Day, he served as Commander of the 48th Fighter Group in Germany and France from June to September 1945.[1]
In 1968, Douglas served as the commander of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, and flew a full tour of bombing and fighter missions over North Vietnam.[2] He retired from Air Force on 1970.
He was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure (3rd Class) from the Government of Japan, for his efforts as the commander of 41st Air Division at Yokota.[3]
Vietnam War
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During the Vietnam War, Douglas took the command of 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Thailand, after the previous commander, Colonel Neil J. Graham died of a heart attack.
During his tour in Vietnam, Douglas flew Republic F-105D Thunderchief 59-1743, which he also named "The Arkansas Traveler". His F-105D crew chief was SSgt Frank B. Vargo.[4]
Douglas died on December 26, 2002. He is buried in the Central Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.[5]
Awards and Decorations
He was a command pilot with more than 6,000 flying hours. His military decorations include 2 Distinguished Service Crosses, 3 Silver Stars, 2 Legions of Merit, 3 Distinguished Flying Cross, 2 Purple Hearts, 38 Air Medals, 4 Air Force Commendation Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, 3 Air Force Presidential Unit Citations, the French Croix de Guerre with Etoile de Vermeil, the Belgian Fourragere, the British Distinguished Flying Cross, and the third Order of the Sacred Treasure from Japan.[6]
 | Distinguished Service Cross with bronze oak leaf cluster |
| Silver Star with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
| Legion of Merit with bronze oak leaf cluster |
| Distinguished Flying Cross with two bronze oak leaf cluster |
| Purple Heart with bronze oak leaf cluster |
 | Air Medal with four silver oak leaf clusters |
| Air Medal with three silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters (second ribbon required for accouterment spacing) |
 | Air Force Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters |
 | Army Commendation Medal |
 | Air Force Presidential Unit Citation with two bronze oak leaf clusters |
  | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with V device and bronze oak leaf cluster |
 | American Defense Service Medal |
 | American Campaign Medal |
  | European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze campaign stars |
 | World War II Victory Medal |
 | Army of Occupation Medal |
 | National Defense Service Medal with one service star |
 | Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze campaign stars |
 | Air Force Longevity Service Award with silver and bronze oak leaf clusters |
 | Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon |
 | British Distinguished Flying Cross |
  | French Croix de Guerre with Silver-Gilt star |
 | Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation |
 | Vietnam Campaign Medal |
Other Decorations
 |
Belgian Fourragère |
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Order of the Sacred Treasure (3rd Class) |
See also
- 368th Fighter Group
- 396th Fighter Squadron
- P-47 Thunderbolt
References
- http://www.veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=1554
- http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3526#
- http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107197/brigadier-general-paul-p-douglas-jr/
- http://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/107197/brigadier-general-paul-p-douglas-jr/
- http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3526
- http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=3526