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 Major General Fred Augustus Gorden, 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 from 1984 to 1986. The distinctive accomplishments of Major General Gorden reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.