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| PERSONALIA |
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| Name: |
Blakeslee, Donald James Matthew "Don" |
| Date of birth: | September 11th, 1917 (Fairport Harbor/Ohio, United States)
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| Date of death: |
September 3rd, 2008 (Miami/Florida, United States)
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| Nationality: |
American |
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BIOGRAPHY:
Servicenumber Can.J/4551; 0-885264.
Promotions:
?: Pilot Officer;
?: acting Flight Lieutenant;
?: Captain (USAAF);
?: Colonel (USAAF).
Career:
?: No. 401 Squadron, RCAF;
?: No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron RAF;
?: 335th Squadron, 4th Fighter Group, USAAF.
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FLYING BADGE
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Rank:
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Pilot Officer
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Awarded on:
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March 17th, 1941
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DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS (DFC)
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Rank:
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Acting Flight Lieutenant
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Unit:
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No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron
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Awarded on:
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August 14th, 1942
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Action:
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Citation:
"This officer has completed a large number of sorties over enemy territory. He has destroyed one, probably destroyed two and damaged several more hostile aircraft. He is a fine leader whose keenness has proved most inspiring."
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Details:
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London Gazette dated 14 August 1942 and AFRO 1413/42 dated 4 September 1942.
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC)
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Rank:
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Colonel
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Unit:
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4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force
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Awarded on:
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1944
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Action:
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Synopsis:
"For 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 on 7 January 1944, in the European Theater of Operations. On this date Colonel Blakeslee shot down one enemy airplane. Colonel Blakeslee's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces."
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Details:
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Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 23 (1944).
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DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (DSC)
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Rank:
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Colonel
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Unit:
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4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force
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Awarded on:
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1944
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Action:
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Synopsis:
"For 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 21 to 5 July 1944. Colonel Blakeslee's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the 8th Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces."
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Details:
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Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 58 (1944).
Second DSC received as an Oak Leaf Cluster for on the ribbon of his first DSC.
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