The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Alan J. Armstrong (MCSN: 0-7118), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as both Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff (Air) and Deputy Chief of Staff (Air), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. From 1 March 1965 to 31 January 1968. As an extremely competent and resourceful leader and manager, Brigadier General Armstrong initiated plans and policies to manage more effectively the entire Marine Corps Aviation structure, the most expensive and complex organization of air and ground elements ever assigned to Marine Aviation, from a peacetime posture to a wartime total of 1,350 aircraft, 8,600 officers, and 55,600 enlisted personnel. As the principal aviation advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps during many congressional hearings, he carried out his assignment in a truly outstanding manner. A highly conscientious, professionally competent, and dedicated officer, he approached the innumerable technical, training, deployment, and personnel problems with intense interest and a sense of urgency. He devoted countless hours to his primary work and yet was always willing to accept additional responsibilities and assignments, Possessing a rare depth of knowledge and experience in aviation, with a progressive, imaginative, and objective approach to all tasks, he provided the motivation and impetus to establish realistic long-range goals for Marine Aviation. An excellent public speaker, highly proficient in effectively presenting his views orally or in writing, he was able to present the Marine Corps position on aviation matters with lasting effect to top level Department of Defense and Department of the Navy officials. Superior performance of duties as typified above has been the hallmark of Brigadier General Armstrong’s performance in accomplishing broad and diverse tasks in both combat and other assignments, and highlights the culmination of more than twenty-seven years honorable and dedicated Marine Corps Service. By his outstanding personal example, dynamic leadership, sound judgment, and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Brigadier General Armstrong reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Distinguished Flying Cross
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
June 1970 – June 1971
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Alan J. Armstrong (MCSN: 0-7118), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, while serving as Commanding General of the FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, and subsequently as Commanding General, THIRD Marine Amphibious Brigade, in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from June 1970 to June 1971. Major General Armstrong skillfully deployed his Wing in support of numerous joint and combined combat operations, in planning and directing the execution of over 29,000 sorties each month. Faced with major revisions in mission direction and increased enemy action, along with the phased redeployment of Marines from the combat zone, he effectively realigned the wing’s material and personnel assets to obtain the most efficient utilization of both without degradation of combat effectiveness. Upon assuming command of the THIRD Marine Amphibious Brigade on 15 April 1971, Major General Armstrong immediately commenced a vigorous program to interdict the enemy’s logistical support and destroy his harbor sites. He initiated imaginative operational plans which enabled Marine combat elements to equal or surpass previous achievements. During the phasing out of American forces, he exercised considerable diplomacy working with commanders and staff officers of the Vietnamese Army and other allied forces to redistribute combat equipment to Vietnamese and American units remaining in the combat zone. By his remarkable ability to interpret operational requirements and to initiate appropriate action, Major General Armstrong contributed immeasurably to the success of the Military Assistance Program. His leadership, professional acumen, and tireless dedication were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223)Action Date:
February 24 – 29, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Alan J. Armstrong (MCSN: 0-7118), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 24 February to 29 February 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong completed twenty flights in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.
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Distinguished Flying Cross
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant ColonelBatallion:
Marine Fighting Squadron 223 (VMF-223)Action Date:
May 19 – 31, 1944
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel Alan J. Armstrong (MCSN: 0-7118), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the Pacific Area from 19 May to 31 May 1944. Lieutenant Colonel Armstrong completed his fortieth flight in a combat area where enemy anti-aircraft fire was expected to be effective or where enemy aircraft patrols usually occurred. His conduct throughout has distinguished him among those performing duties of the same character.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
February 1968 – May 1970
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General Alan J. Armstrong (MCSN: 0-7118), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from February 1968 to May 1970 as Director, Development Center, Marine Corps Development and Education Command, Quantico, Virginia. Major General Armstrong directed the Development Center’s activities throughout a period of greatly expanded activity, when the extensive special requirements of the Vietnam conflict placed the heaviest burdens and commitments on the Development Center in its history. Effective management, and astute and dynamic leadership were applied by Major General Armstrong to such diverse tasks as introduction into the Marine Corps of concepts and equipment related to remote sensor and surveillance equipment; revolutionary advances in target acquisition devised; and extensive studies relating to future Marine Corps roles, missions, and force structure and techniques. With no derogation of current activities, Major General Armstrong recognized the need for and accomplished reorganization of the Development Center to permit simultaneous prosecution of equipment development together with a much more comprehensive program of study and analysis. In addition, the reorganization permitted dedication of a portion of the Development Center’s staff solely to the prosecution of long and mid-range studies aimed at giving more precise definition and direction to the development of equipment and doctrine. By his outstanding leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, Major General Armstrong upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.