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 Thomas Nelson Burnette, 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 Deputy Commander in Chief, Joint Forces Command, from 1999 to 2001. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Burnette reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.