Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Clarence Edward McKnight, Jr., United States Army, 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 Director, Command, Control and Communications Systems, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, District of Columbia, from July 1984 to June 1987. General McKnight demonstrated exceptional professionalism, leadership, and initiative on a number of critical issues. He made unprecedented and lasting contributions to the national interest by strengthening the capabilities of the Department of Defense and the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for planning and implementing command, control and communications support for joint and combined operations. He provided responsive support to all unified and specified commanders and special operations requirements for crisis situations such as the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 and the ACHILLE LAURO. The results of his assessment on the Grenada rescue operation have contributed immeasurably to improving command, control and communications systems capabilities for the planning and execution of short-notice joint operations. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General McKnight culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Clarence Edward McKnight, Jr., United States Army, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, Army Communications Command, from 1982 to 1984.
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Army Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
July 1984 – June 1987
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Clarence Edward McKnight, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Director of Command, Control and Communications Systems, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, during the period July 1984 to June 1987. Throughout his 35 years of continuous and outstanding service, General McKnight demonstrated dynamic leadership and outstanding technical and managerial ability in a wide range of important command and staff positions. He served with distinction while in command of two Signal battalions in Vietnam on back-to-back assignments, followed by another outstanding performance in a third consecutive command, this one in Europe. In a succession of other assignments, each more challenging than before, he took charge and displayed a superb knowledge of the intricacies of planning, programming and budgeting which resulted in the vast savings of resources. As a group commander and later as Commanding General, 5th Signal Command, in Europe, he was responsible for the great strides in improvements to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization communications systems and the interoperability and integration of United States automation and communications. Later in his career as Commandant of the Signal School, he drew on his vast tactical experience to spearhead an initiative which improved the level of performance of instructors and resulted in an improved performance of the school’s graduates in the field. This wide variety of important positions culminates with his final assignment as Director of Command, Control, and Communications Systems, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lieutenant General McKnight’s lasting contributions and singularly distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit on him and the United States Army.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Service:
United States ArmyRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
July 1984 – June 1987
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant General Clarence Edward McKnight, Jr., United States Army, for exceptional service as Director, Command and Control and Communications Systems, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C., from July 1984 to June 1987. General McKnight demonstrated exceptional professionalism, leadership, and initiative on a number of critical issues. He made unprecedented and lasting contributions to the national interest by strengthening the capabilities of the Department of Defense and the Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for planning and implementing command, control and communications systems support for joint and combined operations. He provided responsive support to all unified and specified commanders and special operations requirements for crisis situations such as the hijacking of TWA Flight 847 and the ACHILLE LAURO. The results of his assessment on the Grenada rescue operation have contributed immeasurably to improving command, control and communications systems capabilities for the planning and execution of short-notice joint operations. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General McKnight culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.
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Legion of Merit
United States Military Academy Register of Graduates(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Signal Corps) Clarence Edward McKnight, Jr., United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer, 9th Signal Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, in the Republic of Vietnam, from 1969 to 1970.