| Scope and content |
Collection consists primarily of Major General Fontana's correspondence, photographs, diaries, and certificates. Formal correspondence is concerned with his activities as commanding officer of the Marine Corps Air Station at Cherry Point, N.C., and a controversy concerning appropriate medals to be awarded prior to his retirement. Of particular interest are two World War II official unit war diaries for Marine Fighting Squadron 112, Marine Aircraft Group Eleven, stationed near Noumea, New Caledonia, that provide daily coverage of Marine air strikes at targets on Guadalcanal, Savo Island, Florida Islands, Russell Islands, and Sealark Channel. Included are the names of personnel making flights, details of aerial and surface battles, names and numbers of those lost and wounded, duration of battles and patrols, the number of enemy downed, and the battle "scores" for individual fighter pilots. Also included are official photographs of General Fontana and other officials along with citations and certificates reflecting his various awards. |
| Access restriction | No access restrictions. |
| Cite as |
Paul J. Fontana Papers (#278), Special Collections Department, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, USA. |
| Terms of use | Literary rights to specific documents are retained by the authors or their descendants in accordance with U.S. copyright law. |
| Acquisitions source |
Joyner- Gift of Morgan, Robert (Hon.). |
| Biographical note | Major General Paul J. Fontana served as a U.S. Marine Corps officer in World War II, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War. During World War II, Fontana served in the Pacific Campaign against Japan and distinguished himself in his role during the capture of Guadalcanal and the Okinawa campaign. During the Korean Conflict, Fontana served as a lieutenant colonel and participated in the attacks on Yong Dong Po, Korea, and the operations at Wonsan. Between the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, Fontana served in the Pentagon for two years as Deputy Director for Operations. He served in the Vietnam War as commander of the First Marine Aircraft Wing in Japan before taking command of the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station. Fontana retired from active service in 1973 after earning the Army Silver Star Medal, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star. |
