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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 1944 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 this occasion reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
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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.
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513:. Escorting the massed daylight raids of the 8th Air Force over Occupied Europe while under Blakeslee's command, the 4th FG became one of the highest-scoring groups of VIII Fighter Command. The 4th's aggressive style was very effective, and the 4th Fighter Group passed the 500-kill mark at the end of April 1944. At the end of the war, the group had destroyed 1,020 German planes (550 in flight, and 470 on the ground).
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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 Mathew Blakeslee, United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations
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Acting Flight
Lieutenant Donald James Mathew BLAKESLEE (Can.J/4551) Royal Canadian Air Force No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron. This officer has completed a large number of sorties over enemy territory. He has destroyed 1, probably destroyed 2 and damaged several more hostile aircraft. He is a fine leader
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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 Mathew Blakeslee, United States Army Air Forces, for
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Don
Blakeslee was finally grounded in September 1944, after the loss of several high-scoring USAAF aces. He had accounted for 15.5 kills in the air and 2 more on the ground. He had flown over 500 operational sorties and accumulated 1,000 combat hours.
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of the 4th FG, Blakeslee flew the group into
Germany for the first time on July 28. Towards the end of the year, Blakeslee led the group more often, and developed a tactic of circling above any air battle and directing his fighters as necessary.
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Mustang for the first time in
December 1943 and thereafter worked hard to have the 4th FG re-equipped as soon as possible with the new fighter, pushing hard, especially as he now became commanding officer of the 4th on January 1, 1944. The
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On Friday
September 18, 2008, Colonel Don Blakeslee and his wife's ashes were interred at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony took place at 1100 hours and was open to the public. The 4th Fighter Wing also did a
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eventually agreed to the request, provided the pilots were operational on the P-51 within 24 hours of receiving them. Blakeslee agreed, instructing his pilots to "learn how to fly them on the way to the target".
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probably destroyed. He proved to be not a particularly good shot, but was receptive to the principles involved in air fighting tactics, and was soon shown to be a gifted leader, in the air and on the ground.
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After retiring, Blakeslee lived in Miami, Florida. Blakeslee married Leola Fryer (died in 2005) in 1944 and had one daughter. Blakeslee died on
September 3, 2008, at his home due to
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in the mid-1930s, flying it from Willoughby Field, Ohio. However, his friend crashed the plane in 1940, and Blakeslee decided the best way to remain flying was to join the
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The next landmark for Blakeslee was leading the first "shuttle" mission to Russia on June 21, 1944, flying 1,470 miles in a mission lasting over 7 hours.
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1294:"Combat Reports, Second World War—Blakeslee, D J—November 18, 1941; November 22, 1941, December 8, 1941, April 28, 1942, May 30, 1942"
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Commanding officers of the Fighter Groups of the 8th Air Force in 1944; Blakeslee is fourth from the left in the back row.
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1345:"Combat Reports, Second World War—Blakeslee, D J—June 27, 1942; August 18, 1942, August 19, 1942"
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further described him as: "the most decorated second world war US Army Air Force fighter pilot."
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After training in Canada, Blakeslee arrived in England on May 15, 1941, where he was assigned to
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as its commanding officer, which was the only way he could remain on combat status. During the
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1451:"Obituary—Col Don Blakeslee—Record-breaking and highly decorated American fighter pilot"
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Following the end of World War II, Blakeslee continued to serve in the newly created
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and his final assignment was as Special Assistant to the Director of Operations for
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On March 6, 1944, Blakeslee flew in the first Mustang over Berlin while defending
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Blakeslee seems to have first seen combat on November 18, 1941, when he damaged a
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Blakeslee's personal standing among Allied pilots was considerable. British ace
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1376:"Combat Reports, Second World War—Blakeslee, D J—April 15, 1943, May 14, 1943"
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on September 11, 1917, and became interested in flying after watching the
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described him as "one of the best leaders ever to fight over Germany".
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than any other American fighter pilot, and by the end of the war was a
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Blakeslee had studiously avoided being part of the American volunteer
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to Don Gentile (left) and Colonel Donald Blakeslee on April 11, 1944.
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from December 1950 to March 1951. In March 1963, he was promoted to
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241:(September 11, 1917 – September 3, 2008) was an officer in the
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Recipients of the Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
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Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
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Recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
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1379:(fee required to view full pdf of original combat reports)
1348:(fee required to view full pdf of original combat reports)
1297:(fee required to view full pdf of original combat reports)
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as a young boy. With money saved from his job with the
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Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France)
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United States Army Air Forces pilots of World War II
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1479:" Mike Spick, Greenhill Books, London, 1997, p. 200
2328:Royal Canadian Air Force personnel of World War II
548:in 1965 with the rank of colonel. An obituary in
400:on August 18, 1942, Blakeslee shot down a further
385:, clocking 200 combat hours with three victories.
268:in 1942. He flew more combat missions against the
786:with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
746:with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters
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245:, whose aviation career began as a pilot in the
2318:American Royal Air Force pilots of World War II
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1143:Date of Action: June 21, 1944 to July 5, 1944
857:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
540:, who served as an executive secretary of the
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1037:Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
621:United States Air Force Command pilot badge
589:in Japan, and flew several missions in the
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1268:"Led P-51 fighters, first to reach Berlin"
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1137:Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces
1102:Colonel (Air Corps), U.S. Army Air Forces
1051:Canadian Volunteer Overseas Service Medal
377:whose keenness has proved most inspiring.
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1122:2nd Distinguished Service Cross citation
1087:1st Distinguished Service Cross citation
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372:on August 14, 1942. The citation read:
2262:List of United States World War II aces
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1065:United Nations Service Medal for Korea
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296:Company, he and a friend purchased a
276:credited with 15.5 aerial victories.
1582:Donald James Matthew "Don" Blakeslee
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817:Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
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488:and Colonel Blakeslee in April 1944.
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326:. The squadron was assigned to the
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1602:4th Fighter Group Association WWII
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1008:British Distinguished Flying Cross
819:with two bronze oak leaf clusters
436:Squadrons were "activated" as the
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2373:Royal Canadian Air Force officers
2338:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
2323:American World War II flying aces
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993:Air Force Longevity Service Award
542:American Fighter Aces Association
257:. He then became a member of the
2358:United States Air Force colonels
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1333:. August 11, 1942. p. 3556.
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1140:4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force
1108:Date of Action: January 7, 1944
1105:4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force
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1571:Don Blakeslee at acesofww2.com
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914:National Defense Service Medal
368:, and was awarded the British
239:Donald James Matthew Blakeslee
166:4440th Aircraft Delivery Group
34:Donald James Matthew Blakeslee
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2343:Recipients of the Silver Star
2298:People from Lake County, Ohio
2267:List of top World War II aces
1497:4th Fighter Group Association
1266:Hevesi, Dennis (2008-10-12).
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1199:List of World War II air aces
995:with silver oak leaf cluster
333:. Flying sweeps over France,
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266:United States Army Air Forces
264:, before transferring to the
122:United States Army Air Forces
2388:Military personnel from Ohio
1596:Don Blakeslee – Riddle Field
633:Royal Air Force pilot brevet
394:No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron RAF
381:He then completed his first
182:No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron RAF
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2363:Recipients of the Air Medal
1644:United States World War II
1477:Allied Fighter Aces of WWII
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658:Distinguished Service Cross
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529:Distinguished Service Cross
424:On September 12, 1942, the
398:raid against Dieppe, France
206:Distinguished Service Cross
89:Arlington National Cemetery
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2383:American Korean War pilots
1219:"Col. Donald J. Blakeslee"
875:World War II Victory Medal
744:Distinguished Flying Cross
370:Distinguished Flying Cross
349:, about 10 miles south of
230:Distinguished Flying Cross
220:Distinguished Flying Cross
112:United States Army Reserve
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1648:with 15+ aerial victories
1407:Fourth Mission of the Day
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579:27th Fighter-Escort Group
450:Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
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170:27th Fighter-Escort Group
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1576:Washington Post obituary
1490:"BLAKESLEE, Donald J.M."
1079:Korean War Service Medal
889:Army of Occupation Medal
318:RCAF and Eagle Squadrons
302:Royal Canadian Air Force
247:Royal Canadian Air Force
117:Royal Canadian Air Force
2094:William T. Whisner Jr.
1548:Military Times of Valor
1544:"Donald J.M. Blakeslee"
1517:"Donald J.M. Blakeslee"
1273:San Diego Union Tribune
1157:Personal life and death
832:American Campaign Medal
546:United States Air Force
243:United States Air Force
127:United States Air Force
2006:John C. "Pappy" Herbst
1413:June 30, 2007, at the
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1099:Blakeslee, Donald J.M.
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1022:French Croix de Guerre
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284:Blakeslee was born in
178:335th Fighter Squadron
1589:Don Blakeslee – USAAF
1427:Don Blakeslee – USAAF
1387:The National Archives
1356:The National Archives
1305:The National Archives
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609:His awards include:
599:Seventeenth Air Force
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499:8th Air Force Command
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324:No. 401 Squadron RCAF
286:Fairport Harbor, Ohio
156:No. 401 Squadron RCAF
134:Years of service
62:Fairport Harbor, Ohio
2198:Edward "Porky" Cragg
2174:David Lee "Tex" Hill
2070:James S. Varnell Jr.
2054:John F. Thornell Jr.
1720:Charles H. MacDonald
964:Korean Service Medal
525:Dwight D. Eisenhower
2206:Kenneth H. Dahlberg
2158:Richard A. Peterson
2126:Charles R. Stimpson
1891:Robert B. Westbrook
1835:Fred J. Christensen
1449:(January 8, 2008).
585:in South Korea and
492:Blakeslee flew the
290:Cleveland Air Races
2303:Aviators from Ohio
1974:Glenn T. Eagleston
1918:Patrick D. Fleming
1795:David C. Schilling
1779:Eugene A. Valencia
1433:2007-06-07 at the
1330:The London Gazette
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966:with four bronze
605:Awards and honors
474:Dwight Eisenhower
442:4th Fighter Group
412:4th Fighter Group
366:flight lieutenant
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71:September 3, 2008
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1661:Richard Bong
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1456:The Guardian
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1227:. 2008-09-05
1224:Sun Sentinel
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918:service star
859:with silver
689:with bronze
660:with bronze
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188:Battles/wars
73:(2008-09-03)
2293:2008 deaths
2288:1917 births
2110:Bill Harris
1646:flying aces
1325:"No. 35667"
687:Silver Star
527:awards the
478:Carl Spaatz
328:Biggin Hill
211:Silver Star
2282:Categories
1553:2022-10-21
1526:2022-10-21
1502:2022-10-21
1462:2009-01-09
1392:2009-01-09
1361:2009-01-09
1310:2009-01-09
1279:2008-10-12
1231:2008-09-11
1205:References
1024:with Palm
575:Korean War
343:Le Touquet
280:Early life
274:flying ace
196:Korean War
96:Allegiance
55:1917-09-11
1148:Citation:
1113:Citation:
784:Air Medal
468:Generals
298:Piper J-3
270:Luftwaffe
225:Air Medal
137:1938–1965
129:(1947–65)
124:(1942–47)
119:(1941–42)
114:(1938–40)
1736:Joe Foss
1431:Archived
1411:Archived
1177:See also
565:Post war
523:General
408:status.
304:(RCAF).
162:Commands
106:Service/
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1731:(26.83)
1171:flyover
595:colonel
347:Desvres
253:during
249:flying
146:Colonel
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1985:(18.5)
1977:(18.5)
1969:(18.5)
1961:(18.5)
1953:(18.5)
1838:(21.5)
1798:(22.5)
454:Knocke
446:Debden
432:, and
402:Fw 190
363:acting
355:Fw 190
339:Bf 109
202:Awards
108:branch
101:Canada
84:Buried
1903:15–19
1756:20–24
1689:25–29
1493:(PDF)
438:USAAF
351:Marck
341:near
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509:and
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331:Wing
152:Unit
142:Rank
68:Died
49:Born
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581:at
440:'s
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406:ace
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