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 Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Joseph A. Ahearn, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Ahearn distinguished himself as Deputy Director, Engineering and Services; Director, Engineering and Services, and as The Civilian Engineer, Headquarters, United States Air Force, the Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, from 28 May 1986 to 31 January 1992. During this period, General Ahearn’s outstanding achievements and dynamic leadership resulted in significant improvements to the performance and strategic direction of engineering and services warfighting readiness, base development and operations, environmental quality, troop feeding and housing, military family housing, firefighting, and mortuary affairs. He initiated the restructuring of base civil engineering by streamlining and consolidating the organizational structure and improving the training of civil engineering people to improve efficiency and sustain quality services. This initiative will save 914 million dollars over the five year period beginning 1992. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Ahearn culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.