Paul P. Douglas Jr.

Paul Page Douglas Jr
Born	(1919-04-23)April 23, 1919 Paragould, Arkansas
Died	December 26, 2002(2002-12-26) (aged 83) Bertram, Texas
Place of burial	Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, Texas
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Air Force
Years of service	1939–1970
Rank	Brigadier general
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	Distinguished Service Cross (2) Silver Star (3) Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (3) Purple Heart (2) Air Medal (38)
Relations	Sarah Chandler (Wife)

Paul Page Douglas Jr (April 23, 1919 – December 26, 2002) was a flag officer in the United States Air Force, and an ace.

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[]

388th Tactical Fighter Wing

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.

388TH TFW F-105s en route to North Vietnam being refueled by KC-135 Stratotanker

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]

	Command Pilot Badge
	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
	Order of the Sacred Treasure (3rd Class)

See also[]

• 368th Fighter Group
• 396th Fighter Squadron
• P-47 Thunderbolt

References[]