Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Pilot Officer

Awarded on:

March 17th, 1941

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 133 (Eagle) Squadron, Royal Air Force

Awarded on:

August 14th, 1942

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."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

Awarded on:

October 1st, 1943

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Mathew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force in the European Theater of Operations while leading his Fighter Group on sixty-six combat missions over enemy occupied Europe during World War II. During this period his unit destroyed ten enemy aircraft, probably destroyed one and severely damaged five others. Colonel Blakeslee has personally destroyed two enemy fighters in aerial combat. His brilliant leadership, courage and skill in combat have been a constant inspiration to all serving under him and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 174

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

Awarded on:

February 24th, 1944

"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 Silver Star to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Mathew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for conspicuous gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, while leading his Fighter Group on thirty-eight missions over enemy occupied Europe, during the period of 9 August 1943 to 19 December 1943. Most of these were bomber escort missions and entailed deep penetrations into strongly defended enemy territory. Under the gallant leadership of Colonel Blakeslee, his units have on all occasions furnished excellent support for the bombers and have aggressively sought out the enemy, accounting for the destruction of fifty enemy aircraft and damage to many more. This brilliant record has been achieved with only minor losses to units under his command. The gallantry, determination and skillful leadership displayed by Colonel Blakeslee have been a constant inspiration to all serving with him and reflect highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster - Headquarters, 8th Air Force, General Orders No. 89

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

Awarded on:

April 15th, 1944

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."

Headquarters: U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 23 (1944).

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

Awarded on:

August 30th, 1944

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."

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.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

Awarded on:

February 5th, 1944

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Mathew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Lieutenant Colonel Blakeslee has accomplished fifty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 7

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Awarded on:

March 28th, 1944

"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 Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Mathew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force in the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Lieutenant Colonel Blakeslee has accomplished thirty fighter combat missions, or the equivalent thereof, over enemy occupied Continental Europe and has destroyed two enemy airplanes in aerial combat. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster - Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 24

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Colonel

Unit:

4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

Awarded on:

May 29th, 1944

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Mathew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight and the destruction of two enemy airplanes over enemy occupied Continental Europe, while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster - Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 45

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

Silver Oak Leaf Cluster

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

Awarded on:

June 17th, 1944

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Seventh Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Mathew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the destruction of five enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe, while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster - Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 50

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

4th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in addition to a previously awarded Silver Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of an Eighth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Colonel (Air Corps) Donald James Mathew Blakeslee (ASN: 0-885264), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the destruction of three enemy airplanes in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe, while serving as a P-51 Mustang Fighter Pilot with the 4th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Silver Oak Leaf Cluster

Period:

Vietnam War (1955-1975)

Rank:

Colonel

Unit:

Special Assistant to the Director of Operations, 17th Air Force

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)