Paul Page Douglas Jr

Paul Page Douglas Jr (April 23, 1919 – December 26, 2002) was a brigadier general in the United States Air Force. During World War II, he flew the P-47 Thunderbolt in the European Theater of Operations and became one of the most highly decorated flying aces of the war. In 1968, he served as the commander of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing and flew a full tour of bombing and fighter missions over North Vietnam. He retired from the Air Force on 1970.

Early life Douglas was born in Paragould, Arkansas on 1919, to Bess Douglas and Paul Page Douglas. He graduated from high school in Paragould on 1938 and on the same year, he enrolled at Arkansas State Teachers College. During his studies at ASTC, he also earned his flying license.

Flying the P-47 Thunderbolt, Douglas logged a total of 136 missions and 337 combat hours while serving as commander of the 396th Fighter Squadron, vice commander of the 368th Fighter Group and later with the 36th Fighter Group in Belgium, France and Germany. On two occasions, he shot down three enemy aircraft in one flight. He was recommended for the Medal of Honor and twice received the Distinguished Service Cross. In the first ten days of the fall 1944, he led his unit in the interception of German V-1 rockets that were launched toward England. They used P-47’s high-speed dive capability in destroying 494 V-1s.

2nd Distinguished Service Cross citation

Douglas Jr., Paul P. Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces Date of Action: March 11, 1945

Citation:

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 Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Paul Page Douglas, Jr., United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a P-47 Fighter Airplane in the 396th Fighter Squadron, 368th Fighter Group, Ninth Air Force, in aerial combat against enemy forces on 14 March 1945. On this date, with only three aircraft supporting him, Colonel Douglas attacked a force of more than fifty enemy aircraft carrying bombs toward the American lines in the Remagen Bridgehead. Completely disregarding the enemy's overwhelming numerical superiority, he attacked relentlessly, compelling the hostile aircraft to jettison their bombs. In the ensuing combat Colonel Douglas destroyed three enemy planes while the aircraft he was leading destroyed seven additional enemy planes with no loss to themselves. The extraordinary heroism and determination of this officer to destroy the enemy are in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Aerial victory credits DateCredits22 June 1944123 June 1944120 October 1944314 March 19453 SOURCE: Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II, Pg.55