Brigadier General Paul Albert Putnam, USMC (June 16, 1903 – May 21, 1982) commanded Marine Corps Fighter Squadron VMF-211 during the defense of Wake Island in December 1941.

[2] After rising to the rank of major, he was placed in command a detachment of Marine Corps Fighter Squadron 211 (VMF-211), which arrived at Wake Island on 4 December 1941.

The remaining planes of Putnam's squadron, along with the other Marines on the island, put up a stout defense but were eventually overwhelmed by superior forces.

Putnam, along with Commander Winfield Scott Cunningham, USN and Major James Devereux, USMC, was one of the key leaders of the defense of Wake Island.

Then, embarking in a friendly fighter plane, he executed an unsupported flight far out to sea in a desperate attempt to locate the Japanese carrier.