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 James Mason Thompson, 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 Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Allied Forces Southern Europe, from 1980 to 1983. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Thompson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Army, and the Department of Defense.