The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Frederic Joseph Brown, III (ASN: 0-73622), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States from January 1983 to June 1986, while serving concurrently as Commanding General, United States Armor Center and Fort Knox, and Commandant, United States Army Armor School Through his astute leadership and unrelenting determination, he enhanced the tactical and strategic posture of the entire Armor Force. To ensure realism in training, he prompted the establishment of new threat-based tank gunnery training methodologies and standards, and personally influenced the development and implementation of the Unit Conduct of Fire Trainer–the premier Armor training device. In the combat developments arena, he established a “leap-ahead” strategy as the framework to capitalize on technological breakthroughs. The results included such major thrusts as the Land Battle Test Bed, Simulation Networking, the Battlefield management System, and the Combat Logistics Vehicle. Under his tutelage, a logical strategy was devised which will serve as a blueprint for the proper development of the Armor Force through the turn of the century; a complex mobilization study completed which has been widely acclaimed as a hallmark milestone in the analysis of Total Army Mobilization Issues; and a comprehensive Career Management Field 19 Component Personnel Assessment completed which will provide personnel thrusts necessary to maximize combat power. As Commander, Fort Knox, his caring leadership was evidenced in all major installation program enhancements and new initiatives with primary focus on the development and institutionalization of many innovative family support and related community programs. General Brown led the Armor Center and School to a new plateau of accomplishments and provided those serving with him the goals and inspirations necessary to continue the tradition of excellence. Major General Brown’s selfless and exceptional performance reflect great credit on him, the United States Armor Center and School, and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Frederic Joseph Brown, III (ASN: 0-73622), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States during the period July 1986 to May 1989, as Commander, Fourth United States Army and Fort Sheridan. His outstanding leadership and persuasive vision guided the Fourth Continental United States Army ICONUSA) in conceptualizing, developing, and executing a readiness strategy and a wide range of initiatives to enhance the warfighting capabilities of the Reserve Components well into the 1990s. With a clear, unwavering focus on warfighting readiness, he addressed the entire spectrum of Reserve Component issues and designated the precendential Readiness 90 Program which achieved significant successes in leader professional development, training innovation, information system architecture, force structure alignments, defense of CONUS, and mobilization readiness. He directed the development of the CONUSA into its role as Headquarters, Joint Task Force, Northern Defense Command, and established an operational headquarters where none had existed. His commitment to excellence resulted in a structural network among all the Services and the civilian agencies within the Fourth Army Area which has, in turn, made certain a ready regional response to national emergencies. As the Army’s spokesman in the upper Midwest, he recognized the need and seized the initiative to inform the region’s civilian leadership of the mission of the modern Army. His efforts resulted in renewed civilian support for both the Total Army and for its individual soldiers. Under his vision and leadership, a revitalized role for Fort Sheridan as a Reserve Component training center of excellence was set in motion; and the quality of life for the soldiers and their families improved as a result of his caring and his personal involvement. In virtually every area of command responsibility, he introduced a new way of thinking. He proved that success came from rigor in concept and boldness in execution; and he left the Reserve Components in Fourth Army ably poised to support the strategy for national defense. Lieutenant General Brown’s outstanding achievements during his military career, which spanned 33 years of service, are in the most cherished traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.