The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable), II Marine Expeditionary Force, from July 1998 to February 2001. During this period, Colonel Glueck brought a wealth of managerial expertise and leadership to the command and contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of its mission. His inspirational leadership and operational acumen were instrumental in the success of his command during two fast-paced workup periods and the ensuing six-month deployments. Colonel Glueck led the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) through innumerable pre-deployment training events, six major exercises, and two real-world contingency operations. Under his leadership, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) conducted Humanitarian Assistance and Presence operations while assigned as Landing Force SIXTH Fleet and was the driving force in the Marine Expeditionary Unit’s (Special Operations Capable) success while they participated in Operation AVID RESPONSE in Turkey. Throughout LF6F 3-00, the command participated in Operation SILENT LANCE, conducted Adriatic Presence Operations during the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia elections, supported diplomatic initiatives during unrest in Israel, and participated in Exercises ATLAS HINGE and DESTINE GLORY. Additionally, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) participated in two exercises in Croatia, where the command broke new ground by conducting the first Marine Corps bilateral training with Croatian Armed Forces. Under Colonel Glueck’s leadership, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) unparalleled achievements illustrated its capabilities and relevance as an instrument of U.S. foreign policy. His distinctive accomplishments as Commanding Officer of the nation’s premier forward-deployed force had a direct, positive, and measurable impact on stability throughout the Mediterranean region. Colonel Glueck’s superior leadership, exceptional ability, and total dedication to duty 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 and Marine Corps Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Navy and Marine Corps Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
CaptainBatallion:
Marine Helicopter Squadron 1Action Date:
February 23, 1984
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy and Marine Corps Medal to Captain Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for heroism while serving at Marine Helicopter Squadron ONE, Executive Flight Detachment, Naval District Washington, Anacostia, Washington, D.C. At approximately 0750 on 23 February 1984, Captain Glueck became aware of cries for help from the vicinity of the fuel truck which services Squadron aircraft at the facility. Running toward the truck, he learned from Marines congregating around it that a Staff Sergeant was trapped inside the tank and apparently unconscious. Although acutely aware of the danger of explosion or suffocation, Captain Glueck descended into the tank to retrieve the stricken Marine. Inching his way forward in the dark, partially full tank, he located the unconscious and convulsing Staff Sergeant in the most forward compartment. Dragging and pushing the much larger Marine back through the tiny passages of the tank, Captain Glueck realized that he himself could lose consciousness from the toxic fumes and lack of oxygen. Nevertheless, he continued to think clearly and deliberately and, through only the greatest of effort, finally moved the Staff Sergeant far enough aft that assisting Marines were able to pull them both to safety. By his courageous and prompt actions in the face of grave personal danger, Captain Glueck undoubtedly saved the Staff Sergeant from permanent disability or death; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Brigadier GeneralAction Date:
April 2005 – June 2006
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Brigadier General Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally superior service while serving as Chief of Staff, United States Southern Command, Miami, Florida, from April 2005 to June 2006. Brigadier General Glueck’s superb leadership ensured the command accomplished its mission and near-term goals while simultaneously focusing on support for the War on Terrorism and future transformation of the headquarters. Brigadier General Glueck’s experience and in-depth knowledge of strategic planning enabled him to provide expert oversight of the headquarters’ staff in all operational areas including counter narco-terrorism and intelligence gathering operations, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance activities, and implementation of the command’s Theater Security Cooperation Plan throughout the 30-nation area of responsibility. He significantly advanced transformation by working skillfully with representatives from the Department of Defense and State of Florida to ensure construction of a new state-of-the-art headquarters by 2010. His ability to early identify the command’s interests and maintain situational awareness of all relevant issues helped to prioritize the influence critical Department of Defense decisions, reinforcing support for the command’s goals and contributing significantly to the success of all command activities. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Brigadier General Glueck reflected great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Major GeneralAction Date:
July 2009 – December 2010
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Superior Service Medal to Major General Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally superior service while serving as Director of Operations and Logistics, United States Africa Command, from July 2009 to December 2010. During this period of command high operations tempo, Major General Glueck superbly led, guided and provided oversight to the successful planning and execution of United States Africa Command’s operations and logistics activities. He ensured the operations and logistics team was trained and capable of executing operations as well as providing Logistics, Force Protection, Information Operations support, and a Standing Joint Force Headquarters capability to United States Africa Command plans, engagements and operations. During his tenure, he flawlessly managed the execution of over 25 named operations, initiated Counter-Piracy operations in East Africa, and was directly involved with time-sensitive Counter-Terrorism operations. Moreover, his keen operational insights were instrumental to the continued success of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM-TRANS SAHARA and Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. He made enormous strides in assisting our African partners in developing their organic security capacity while dramatically expanding United States Africa Command’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capability. His visionary logistics strategy transformed the way of doing business in Africa which turned what had historically been characterized as a “transaction” into engagements resulting in over 40 additional events. The singular distinctive accomplishments of Major General Glueck reflected great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel Kenneth J. Glueck, Jr., United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.