On 7 January 1946 , by general order number 8 , Paulen was awarded the US Medal of Freedom with bronze palm . On 12 September 1947 , by Royal Decree , Paulen was knighted by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands , receiving the fourth class ( Knight ) of the Military William Order . The Order is the highest and oldest military honour of the Kingdom of the Netherlands , bestowed for " performing excellent acts of Bravery , Leadership and Loyalty in battle " . The award is comparable to the British Victoria Cross and seldom awarded
Medal of Freedom
Medal of Freedom (1945)
Adriaan Paulen