Colonel Donald J. Pagel was commissioned an Infantry Officer upon graduation from Officer Candidate School 5 June 1947, class number 5. His first duty assignment was as Platoon Leader, 3d Armd Division, fort Knox, Kentucky. | His subsequent duty assignments include: Company XO, 3d Armd Div, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Plt Ldr, 70th TK Bn, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Plt Ldr, Company XO, TK Company CO, 85th Div Recon Sqdn, 6th Armd Div; Plt Ldr, Company XO, Tk Company CO, 25th Inf Div, 35th Regiment TK Co; Chief, Instr Gp, Armored Ldr Cse, 3d Armd Div; Plt Ldr, Armor Packet Plt, Co a, 36th Armd Inf Bn; Plt Ldr, Armor Packet Plt, Co A, 36th Armd Inf Bn; Company CO, Co C, 1st Bn, 2d Armd Cav; Asst PMS, Canisuis College, Buffalo, NY; CO, Headquarters Comdt, Chief, Plans & Tng Div, Headquarters Company, Headquarters, USA Security Agency Europe; XO, Tk Bn, Bde S3, 3d Armd Div; Staff Off, Div Chief, MACV J3, USA MACV; Staff off, Plans Directorate, DCSOPS, Headquarters, DA; Bn Comdr, 1st Bn, 69th Armor, 4th Inf Div, Vietnam; Sp Asst to CG for Combat Security, 1st Logistical Comd; Dep Dir, Weapons Dept, U.S. Army Armor School; Dep Dir, Plans & Training, U.S. Army Armor Center. | His awards and decorations include: Silver Star, Legion of Merit w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star w/V device and 3 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal w/3 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation, Purple Heart, Good Conduct, WW II Victory Medal; Korean Svc Medal, NDSM w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, United Nations Svc Medal, Vietnamese Staff Honor Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/palm and silver star, Vietnamese Svc Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Civic Action Medal w/palm, Army General Staff Identification Badge and Vietnamese Armor Badge.