The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Gordon James Duquemin (ASN: 0-50784), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while serving consecutively as Commanding Officer of the 2d Brigade, 4th Infantry Division; Chief of Staff, 4th Infantry Division; and Deputy Senior Advisor, II Corps Tactical Zone, during the period December 1968 to July 1970. Immediately upon his initial assignment commanding the 2d Brigade, General Duquemin recognized the urgency of seizing and controlling vital supply routs and maintaining a tactical blocking force to pre-empt an impending enemy offensive. So effective was this operation that the enemy was forced to withdraw from the area after sustaining more than 2,000 casualties. Building upon this successful operation, General Duquemin turned his attention to the implementation of a civic action program designed to raise local health and education standards. As a result of his perceptive efforts, the program was indefinitely continued by the Commanding General, II Corps. Next, serving as Chief of Staff, General Duquemin focused on Division-wide responsibilities and problems, handling them with the same determination and consummate skill which characterized his field command. In December 1969, General Duquemin became the Deputy Senior Advisor for II Corps Tactical Zone. From the outset, he realized the central importance of civilian cooperation and support of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. Through his astute guidance, increased support was extended to the Montagnard people, who comprise a majority of the population in the central highlands. This development immeasurably aided the combined United States-Government of Vietnam effort to eliminate communist infiltration of local villages. General Duquemin’s timely infusion of experienced officers as political warfare advisors (G-5) was instrumental in the successful Tat Thang 18 Operation. He conceived and tactically directed the Tuyen Due Campaign, which resulted in the destruction of the 810th Local Force Battalion at Da Lat. The major campaign at Dak Seang represented the culmination of months of advisory effort in a series of critical attacks. During a period of slightly more than a month, South Vietnamese forces inflicted more than 1,200 casualties on the enemy. As both a logistical and tactical advisor, General Duquemin brought about changes which greatly enhanced South Vietnamese capabilities, while setting the stage for even more expanded withdrawal of American combat forces from this area of operations. He, by energy of will and imagination, greatly advanced “Vietnamization” in the central highlands. General Duquemin’s integrity, practical foresight, and unswerving devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.