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He had a very distinguished career in the USAAF and USAF.
His Silver Star citation: Awarded for actions during the World War II
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain (Air Corps) Paul Kendall Carlton (ASN: 0-789133), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action while piloting a B-29 aircraft of the TWENTIETH Air Force, on a combat mission against enemy installations at Mukden, Manchuria, on 21 December 1944. The B-29 air craft piloted by Captain Carlton had just started its bombing run when it was struck by a heavy caliber anti-aircraft shell. As a result of the anti-aircraft shell, Captain Carlton's aircraft sustained extensive damage. In spite of the damage, Captain Carlton continued his bombing run and dropped his bombs on the target. Immediately after the bomb run, Captain Carlton's aircraft was subjected once again to severe and savage attacks by enemy aircraft and his aircraft sustained damage to instruments, oxygen supply and other vital parts of the aircraft. Disregarding the danger of fire as a result of gasoline flooding the bomb bay, and the hazards of flying at high altitude without oxygen, Captain Carlton, by courageous and gallant action and skillful piloting, maintained his aircraft in flight until he succeeded in landing in friendly territory. Captain Carlton's actions saved his crew from disaster and his aircraft from destruction, all in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army Air Forces and reflecting great credit on himself and the XX Bomber Command.
General Orders: Headquarters, 20th Air Force, General Orders No. 24 (February 3, 1945) Action Date: 21-Dec-44 Service: Army Air Forces Rank: Captain Regiment: XX Bomber Command Division: 20th Air Force
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: 1 * Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m) * Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m) * Height: 13 ft 8 in (4.17 m) * Wing area: 235 ft� (21.83 m�) * Empty weight: 7,635 lb (3,465 kg) * Loaded weight: 9,200 lb (4,175 kg) * Max takeoff weight: 12,100 lb (5,490 kg) * Powerplant: 1� Packard Merlin V-1650-7 liquid-cooled supercharged V-12, 1,695 hp (1,265 kW) * Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0163 * Drag area: 3.80 ft� (0.35 m�) * Aspect ratio: 5.83
Performance
* Maximum speed: 437 mph (703 km/h) at 25,000 ft (7,620 m) * Cruise speed: 362 mph (580 km/h) * Stall speed: 100 mph (160 km/h) * Range: 1,650 mi (2,755 km) with external tanks * Service ceiling 41,900 ft (12,770 m) * Rate of climb: 3,200 ft/min (16.3 m/s) * Wing loading: 39 lb/ft� (192 kg/m�) * Power/mass: 0.18 hp/lb (300 W/kg) * Lift-to-drag ratio: 14.6 * Recommended Mach limit 0.8
Armament
* 6 � 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns; 400 rounds per gun for the two inboard guns; 270 per outboard gun * 2 hardpoints for up to 2,000 lb (907 kg) * 10 � 5 in (127 mm) rockets
Specifications
* A-36A Apache - Dive bomber (US Army) * F-6 - US Army offshoots model * F-6A - US Army offshoots model * F-6C - Reconnaissance variant * P-51A - More powerful powerplant; 4 x machine guns. * P-51B - 4 x machine guns; Original and bubble canopy. * P-51C - 4 x machine guns; Original and bubble canopy. * P-51D - Classic variant; most produced. * P-51H - Lighter airframe version * P-51K - Featuring an Aeroproducts propeller. * F-51 - Redesignated to "Fighter" in the new jet fighter age. * F-6K - Reconnaissance version of P-51K
