[2][3] For his two-year service as commander of the 35th Fighter Group during World War II, Doss was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legion of Merit, and the Air Medal.

Colonel Doss's service has been cited as integral to the development of long-range fighter tactics in the South West Pacific Theater.

He spent the next two years in the Civilian Conservation Corps before attending Lead Belt Junior College in Desloge, Missouri.

[18] In June of that year, he was appointed commander of the 41st Pursuit Squadron, and by 1943, he was a major in the United States Army Air Corps.

[23] After leading the 35th Fighter Group through the South West Pacific Theater from Lae, New Guinea to Okinawa, Japan, Doss was promoted to colonel in 1945.

[24] Doss's leadership as commander has been commended as integral to the advancement of long-range fighter tactics in the South West Pacific Theater.

[25] His strategic leadership received mention in a booklet that was published by World War II combat pilots of the South West Pacific.