This Military Service Page was created/owned by
SSgt Robert Bruce McClelland, Jr.
to remember
Dunham, William Douglas, Brig Gen USAF(Ret).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Nezperce, Idaho
Last Address Issaquah, Washington
Date of Passing Mar 03, 1990
Location of Interment Sunset Hills Memorial Park - Bellevue, Washington
He was credited with 16 aerial victories in the South Pacific during WWII and went on to a distinguished career in the USAAF and USAF.
His DSC citation: Awarded for actions during World War II
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 Major (Air Corps) William Douglas Dunham (ASN: 0-432289), 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 460th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, FIFTH Air Force, in action near San Isidro Bay, Philippine Islands, on 7 December 1944. Major Dunham was lead pilot of a flight of nine fighter planes whose mission was to engage, disperse and destroy aerial cover provided by the enemy for their shipping convoy lying in San Isidro Bay. While en route to the objective at 18,000 feet, he sighted a formation of nine enemy fighters coming in from the northern end of Cebu, and immediately ordered an attack. Followed by his squadron he closed on the enemy in a diving turn and destroyed the lead plane. Observing an enemy fighter attacking one of his comrades from a position of temporary advantage he dived after it and shot it down. During this action his squadron destroyed five additional enemy aircraft, after which the remaining enemy fled. Major Dunham then proceeded toward the squadron's rendezvous point over San Isidro Bay, and en route thereto was joined by another plane which flew wing position for him. As these two planes circled over the bay, Major Dunham observed four more enemy fighters about two thousand feet above them. He directed his wingman to accompany him in attack, closed on the enemy in a climbing turn, and with a short burst destroyed his third enemy plane. He then flew to a point directly astern another enemy plane, pursued it through a maneuver, and brought it down in flames. The wingman meanwhile destroyed one enemy plane, while the other fled and escaped. Major Dunham's extraordinary flying skill, gallant leadership and heroism made it possible for our bombers to attack enemy shipping in San Isidro Bay unhampered by enemy fighter interception. Major Dunham's unquestionable valor in aerial combat is in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, the FIFTH Air Force, and the United States Army Air Forces. General Orders: Headquarters, U.S. Army Forces in the Far East, General Orders No. 28 (1945) Action Date: December 7, 1944 Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Major Company: 460th Fighter Squadron Regiment: 348th Fighter Group Division: 5th Air Force
Aircraft/Missile Information
Specifications StatsCentral Model Bell P-39M Airacobra Length 30.15 ft | 9.19 m Width 33.99 ft | 10.36 m Height 11.84 ft | 3.61 m Engine(s) 1 x Allison V-1710-83 water-cooled engine generating 1,200hp. Empty Weight 5,611 lbs | 2,545 kg MTOW 8,400 lbs | 3,810 kg Max Speed 386 mph | 621 km/h | 335 kts Max Range 650 miles | 1,046 km Ceiling 35,991 ft | 10,970 m | 6.8 miles Climb Rate 3,333 ft/min (1,015.9 m/min) Hardpoints 2 Armament 1 x 37mm cannon mounted in the nose 2 x 12.7mm machine guns 4 x 7.62mm machine guns
Up to 500lbs of external ordnance as needed. Accommodations 1
