The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral James Oren Ellis, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander, United States Strategic Command, from November 2001 to July 2004. During his tenure, Admiral Ellis’ determination and visionary leadership were instrumental in redefining and operationalizing the roles, responsibilities, and missions of United States Strategic Command. During this critical time in America’s history, Admiral Ellis ensured the Nation’s nuclear arsenal remained secure and credible while simultaneously implementing the sweeping changes directed by the 2001 Nuclear Posture Review, offering national leadership, unprecedented speed, flexibility and selection of strategic nuclear, conventional, and non-kinetic options. Fully implementing the most significant changes to the Unified Command Plan in decades, Admiral Ellis successfully led the efforts to combine the missions of the former United States Strategic and Space Commands, while adding four previously unassigned missions: Global Strike; Department of Defense Information Operations Integration; Global Missile Defense Integration; and Global Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance. To operationalize these missions in such a short time, Admiral Ellis conceived and directed a new, functionally centered headquarters structure, and developed new relationships with the Services, combatant commanders, combat support agencies and the Department of State. Admiral Ellis led the Command throughout its significant contributions to the successes of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM and the Global War on Terrorism in general, integrating unprecedented global federated intelligence, space support, and information capabilities to produce thousands of tailored mission products and effects essential to victory. Admiral Ellis’ accomplishments have greatly advanced the President’s vision to form a “new architecture of American defense for decades to come.” The distinctive accomplishments of Admiral Ellis culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral James Oren Ellis, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe and Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, from October 1998 to October 2001. During this period, Admiral Ellis was directly responsible for the successes enjoyed by national and NATO Forces throughout the Southern Region. His strategic vision and exacting leadership refined and enhanced the NATO Alliance during a period of dynamic change and unprecedented activity. He brilliantly commanded multinational forces during NATO’s first war in Kosovo where his innovative leadership and flawless execution of contingency operations led to resound victory during the air campaign. He averted humanitarian crisis in the Balkans and engaged in the largest peace operation in history ending the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced persons. He oversaw the formation and implementation of the Kosovo Force, restoring stability to the troubled region and successfully avoided general civil war in the Former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia. Additionally, Admiral Ellis dramatically transformed and improved the effectiveness of the NATO force structure, modernized the capabilities of the NATO Southern Region Headquarters, and ensured its ability to meet the challenges of the future. The distinctive accomplishments of Admiral Ellis reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
AdmiralAction Date:
January 31, 1999 – June 9, 1999
The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral James Oren Ellis, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe, Naples, Italy, Joint Force Commander, Operation ALLIED FORCE, and as Commander, Joint Task Force NOBLE ANVIL, from 31 January 1999 to 9 June 1999. Admiral Ellis commanded all United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization humanitarian and combat operations in the Balkans. He protected and supported the Kosovo Verification Mission conducted by the Organization for Security Cooperation in an effort to prevent further conflict in the region. When peaceful resolution attempts were overcome by the need for military intervention he led planning efforts for, and ultimately commanded the forces engaged against the Republic of Serbia in Operation ALLIED FORCE; the largest combat operation in the history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Successfully commanding 59,000 troops, 906 aircraft and 38 ships from 14 nations, Allied Forces under his leadership flew over 38,000 missions and launched over 250 cruise missiles against Serbian targets. His troops provided food, shelter, sanitation and medical care for one million refugees in Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Admiral Ellis demonstrated consummate tactical acumen, deft diplomacy, and a genuine concern for his forces while leading the Alliance to victory. The distinctive accomplishments of Admiral Ellis reflect credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral James Oren Ellis, Jr., United States Navy, 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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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral James Oren Ellis, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of 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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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral James Oren Ellis, Jr., United States Navy, 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.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States NavyRank:
AdmiralAction Date:
November 2001 – July 2004
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral James Oren Ellis, Jr., United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while serving as Commander, U.S. Strategic Command from November 2001 to July 2004. A naval leader of uncommon intellect and strategic vision, Admiral Ellis was directly responsible for executing the most significant changes to the command structure of United States strategic forces since World War II. Demonstrating tremendous command ability built on a lifetime of naval leadership and experience in national security, foreign affairs, and international diplomacy, Admiral Ellis greatly enhanced the operational and combat readiness of strategic forces to support combatant commanders in meeting the ever-changing global threats to peace and freedom. He skillfully applied his mastery of military planning and operations, honed during the Cold War and the late 20th Century, to ensure that the armed forces of the United States and coalition partners were trained and ready to fight the Global War on Terrorism. Admiral Ellis’ superior performance highlights the culmination of 39 years of honorable and dedicated service. By his extraordinary accomplishments, commendable innovation, and deep devotion to duty, Admiral Ellis reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral James Oren Ellis, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. His singularly distinctive accomplishments and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral James Oren Ellis, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.