Paul Hyde Prentiss was born on March 26, 1895, in Newark, New Jersey. He attended Lawrenceville Preparatory School, Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and attended Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine, and served with the New Jersey National Guard from July 1916 to March 1917. He served as a flying cadet from April 7, 1917, to June 24, 1918, and was appointed a second lieutenant (temporary), Air Service, on June 25, 1918. On July 1, 1920, he was commissioned a second lieutenant, Air Service, in the Regular Army.
SERVICE
In June 1917 he was ordered to Kelly Field, Texas, and joined the 39th Aero Squadron. He was assigned to the 84th Aero Squadron, Kelly Field, the following August, and later was transferred to the 60th Aero Squadron. He entered the School of Military Aeronautics, Austin, Texas, in January 1918, and following his graduation in March 1918 served at Camp Dick, Dallas, Texas, and Gerstner Field, Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Upon being commissioned a second lieutenant in the Air Service in June 1918, he entered the Pursuit Course, Barron Field, Texas, and upon completing the course the following August became an instructor at Gerstner Field, Louisiana. He transferred to the United States Naval Air Station, Miami, Florida, in October 1918, and qualified as a Naval Pilot and Navigator the next month.
He then went to Carlstrom Field, Florida, until June 1919, when he was assigned to Barron Field, Texas, as Post Adjutant, Engineering Officer, and Post Signal Officer. He moved to Little Rock Air Intermediate Depot, Little Rock, Arkansas, in July 1921, to become Post Adjutant, and in August 1922 assumed command of the Little Rock Air Intermediate Depot. He became an instructor at the Air Service Primary Flying School, Brooks Field, Texas, in April 1923, and in May 1925 joined the 6th Pursuit Squadron, Luke Field, Hawaii. He transferred to the 23rd Bombardment Squadron, Luke Field, in December 1926.
Returning to the United States, he joined the 61st Service Squadron, Mitchel Field, New York, in August 1928, and the following November was transferred to the 99th Observation Squadron at Mitchel Field. In July 1931 he was ordered to Brooks Field, Texas, as a flying instructor, and the following October went to Randolph Field, Texas, as Flight Commander, Primary Stage.
He joined the 47th School Squadron, Randolph Field, Texas, in March 1935, and in August 1936 became Commanding Officer, Primary Stage, Flying Department, Randolph Field. In July 1937 he assumed command of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron at March Field, Riverside, California, serving in that capacity until June 1939 when he entered the Air Corps Tactical School, Maxwell Field, Alabama. He was graduated the following August and returned to March Field, California, to resume his duties as Commanding Officer of the 38th Reconnaissance Squadron.
He was designated Air Corps Technical Supervisor, San Antonio Air Depot, San Antonio, Texas, in April 1940, and from August to December 1942 was Technical Inspector, Air Service Command, Fifth Air Force, in the Southwest Pacific Area. He then became Commanding Officer of the 374th Troop Carrier Group, Southwest Pacific Area, and in May 1943 was designated Commanding Officer, later, Commanding General, of the 54th Troop Carrier Wing in the Southwest Pacific. In March 1944 he was announced as Commanding General of the V Air Force Service Command. The following August he became Commanding General of the Far East Air Force Service Command there. In November of that year he was assigned to Headquarters, Fifth Air Force, stationed on New Guinea.
Returning to the United States after World War II, he was named Commanding Officer of the 52d Troop Carrier Wing in January 1946, Sedalia Army Airfield, Missouri, and later moved with the wing to Bergstrom Field, Texas. In August 1946 he became Commanding Officer of Pope Field, North Carolina, before transferring to Greenville AFB, South Carolina, in August 1947 where he was named Commanding Officer of the 316th Troop Carrier Wing. Following service as Commanding Officer of the 1701st Air Transport Wing, Great Falls AFB, Montana, from January 1949 to November 1950, he was transferred to Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., to serve as assistant to Major General Edwin B. Lyon, Chief of Air Force Personnel.
He retired from the Air Force on April 30, 1952, in the grade of Brigadier General.
General Prentiss was fatally electrocuted on July 20, 1953, while remodeling his home in San Antonio, Texas.
He was rated a Command Pilot, Combat Observer, and Aircraft Observer.
PROMOTIONS
Private, Private 1st Class, Corporal and Sergeant, Aviation Section, Signal Corps, Enlisted Reserve Corps, April 7, 1917, to June 24, 1918; Second Lieutenant, Air Service, N.A., June 25, 1918, to September 21, 1920; Second Lieutenant, Air Service, July 1, 1920; First Lieutenant, July 1, 1920; Captain, November 1, 1933; Major (temporary), August 26, 1936; Major, June 1, 1940; Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), March 15, 1941; Lieutenant Colonel, A.U.S., September 15, 1941; Colonel (temporary), January 5, 1942; Lieutenant Colonel, October 4, 1942; Colonel, A.U.S., August 23, 1943; Brigadier General, A.U.S., September 20, 1943. He vacated the rank of Brigadier General, A.U.S., on January 31, 1946, and reverted to the rank of Colonel, A.U.S.; Colonel, April 2, 1948; retired with rank of Brigadier General, April 30, 1952.
DECORATIONS
Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Commendation Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Citation, World War I Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in August 1943, with the following citation:
“For exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great responsibility between 3 December 1942 and 20 May 1943. As Commanding Officer of the 374th Troop Carrier Group, Colonel Prentiss directed and actively participated in difficult and hazardous air transport operations in New Guinea. Large numbers of men and great quantities of equipment and supplies were moved in unarmed aircraft constantly exposed to enemy interception over mountainous jungle terrain which necessitated flights at low altitude in all weathers. Landings were frequently made on improvised airfields within a few miles of enemy bases. These extensive operations were completed with remarkably light losses, and were of the highest importance to the success of campaigns in Buna and Wau areas. The accomplishments of his command and its high morale throughout long-sustained, hazardous operations reflect the devotion to duty; the courage, and the able leadership of Colonel Prentiss.”
He also received the award of the Silver Star in April 1943 “for gallantry in action near Wau, New Guinea, on February 7, 1943.”