The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Brigadier General Alfred Jefferson Lyon, United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility. As Air Officer of the Special Observer Group and later as Air Officer of the European Theater of Operations, United States Army, he was responsible for planning and securing adequate aircraft maintenance supply installations and facilities for the United States Army Air Forces earmarked for operations in the United Kingdom. By thorough planning and broad knowledge of the technical problems in connection with aircraft supply and maintenance, he aided the reception of United States Army Air Forces units in Northern Iceland and Great Britain by insuring adequate maintenance facilities for immediate operations through tactful negations with high officials of the British Air Forces. As head of the Technical Committee organized within the Headquarters of the Special Observer Group he cooperated closely with the Lend-Lease administration within the British Isles, greatly facilitated aid to our British and Russian allies. During this period he made a hazardous trip to the U.S.S.R. in connection with supplies to the Russian forces. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Lyon and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Brigadier General Alfred Jefferson Lyon, United States Army Air Forces, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Special Assistant to the Chief of Air Corps and Technical Executive, Materiel Division, Office of the Air Corps, from 1 October 1939 to 8 March 1942; and as Chief of Engineering Section, Materiel Command, Headquarters, Army Air Forces, from 9 March 1942 to 30 May 1942, on which date he was assigned overseas. During this period of outstanding service in the Materiel Command, General Lyon directed the formation of plans to furnish the Army Air Forces with an adequate production program. Immediately upon the announcement of the President that the United States would embark on a greatly enlarged program of aircraft production, it became his responsibility to see that the $300,000, 000 required for aircraft production be made available and to apportion the increased production to the aircraft industry I such a manner that maximum results could be obtained. General Lyon demonstrated exceptional insight, organizational ability, and a thorough knowledge of the multitude of factors involved I coordinating research, experimentation, and production to the magnitude of wartime needs. The exceptional manner in which he mat all responsibilities placed upon him made possible greatly increased production of aircraft for combat needs and played a large part in the outstanding results achieved in the Army Air Forces expansion program. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Lyon and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.