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 Major General George Clifton Axtell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6857), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, Headquarters, United States Marine Corps, from December 1966 to June 1970. As principal advisor to the Commandant of the Marine Corps for logistics matters, Major General Axtell was directly responsible for maintaining the materiel readiness of the Fleet Marine Force, including Reserve organizations. Exercising a high degree of leadership, professional skill and enthusiasm, Major General Axtell provided guidance and inspiration to his staff in carrying out his complex responsibilities. Particularly noteworthy was his outstanding contribution to the development of automated systems of materiel readiness, personal direction of Research and Development Programs, and expansion of Marine Corps facilities and installations. Major General Axtell’s outstanding achievements in defending the Marine Corps budget before Congress were highly successful in obtaining necessary funds vital to Marine Corps operations. Through his sustained and distinguished achievements he contributed immeasurably to the accomplishment of the mission of the Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps and to the highest possible state of materiel readiness in the Fleet Marine Forces. Major General Axtell’s professional skill and devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General George Clifton Axtell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6857), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, Second Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, from June 1970 to March 1972. Throughout this period, Major General Axtell addressed urgent requirements to train personnel for further service in support of Marine Air Forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Simultaneously, he provided continuous air and air-support forces to meet extensive contingency requirements in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Mediterranean areas. Major General Axtell directed an operation which substantiated the validity of concepts for the employment of a revolutionary weapons system in support of ground forces in a tactical environment. He was also directly involved in the exercise of close air support command and control assets in an amphibious environment which established a model for the employment of the Marine Corps Automated Tactical Air Command Center. By his outstanding leadership and inspiring devotion to duty, Major General Axtell contributed significantly to the successful accomplishment of the mission of Fleet Marine Force, Atlantic, thereby upholding the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” to Colonel George Clifton Axtell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6857), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as the Chief of Staff, III Marine Amphibious Force while deployed in the Republic of Vietnam during the period September 1965 through March 1966. During this period, Colonel Axtell displayed exceptional leadership skill and professional knowledge while directing the operations and functions of the III Marine Amphibious Force Staff. As Chief of Staff, he was confronted with the task of directing a newly formed staff which was required to deal with the rapidly expanding operational and administrative requirements of the III Marine Amphibious Force, and its additional responsibilities as the Naval Component Commander, Vietnam; Senior Advisor, I Corps Tactical Zone of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam; and Area Coordinator, I Corps Tactical Zone. Employing his unique organizational skill and management ability, he established clear lines of authority and administration for the functioning of the four separate staffs. He skillfully overcame the effects of personnel and equipment shortages to mold an undermanned III Marine Amphibious Force Staff into an efficient and responsive organization which performed the functions of all four of the above mentioned staffs. When the rapid buildup of Marine Forces in Vietnam necessitated revision of the existing supply support structure, Colonel Axtell assisted in the planning and development of the Force Logistic Command, simultaneously assisting in the planning for the transfer of Naval Component Commander responsibilities to a separate Navy command. His continuous personal efforts in coordinating with all elements in the I Corps Tactical Zone, in liaison with the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, and in the informational services field were a significant contribution to the success of the III Marine Amphibious Force. By his outstanding leadership, judgment and inspiring devotion to duty throughout, Colonel Axtell upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Colonel Axtell is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)

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 with Combat “V” to Colonel George Clifton Axtell, Jr. (MCSN: 0-6857), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, Force Logistic Command, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific from 15 March to 3 October 1966 in connection with military operations against insurgent communist (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Accepting his assignment at the time the Command was activated, Colonel Axtell demonstrated exceptional professional skill, leadership and initiative in striving to fulfill the unit’s mission of providing sustained support to all units deployed in Vietnam at that time and those which comprised the sizeable and rapid buildup which followed. With sound judgment and foresight, he organized a staff, developed internal operating procedures and established external relationships with other Marine Corps commands, the First Logistic Command, the Naval Supply Activity, the Thirtieth Naval Construction Regiment and other supply and logistic activities in the Western Pacific area, in addition to welding the former reinforced service battalions of the FIRST and THIRD Marine Divisions into the Force Logistic Command. Through his resourcefulness and skill, he successfully directed the massive efforts of activation and the complete reorganization of support units, developing the Force Logistic Command into an organization which provided supply and logistic support for all Marine Corps commands in Vietnam in a superior manner beyond that which could have been considered possible within such a short period of time. With tact and a spirit of cooperation, he developed a workable and personal relationship between the Third Marine Amphibious Forces in Vietnam, which proved to be a vital contributing factor in the improved support of Marine Corps forces in country. Additionally, he was instrumental in the development and execution of a systematic procedure for the logistical support of the Korean Marine Corps units participating in combat operations against the enemy. Despite the distribution of the Command over three distinct geographical combat locations at DaNang, Chu Lai and Hue Phu Bai, which involved formidable transportation obstacles, Colonel Axtell ensured that supplies and equipment were delivered expeditiously to combat committed elements. His development of highly sophisticated machine and computer programs resulted in a more timely, efficient and practical reporting system, and were instrumental in providing additional data processing capabilities within the Third Marine Amphibious Force. Exhibiting a unique organizational skill and management talents under difficult circumstances, he coordinated the formulation of the structure and development of the Red Beach Area designated for the Headquarters of the Force Logistics Command and Force Logistic Support Group Alpha. His dynamic leadership and keen ability to overcome major problem areas were primary factors in the improvement of supply support within the Western Pacific area. By his inspiring leadership, extraordinary professional skill and unwavering dedication to duty throughout, Colonel Axtell upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Colonel Axtell is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)