The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), United States Air Force, 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, United States Military Mission with the Iranian Army and United States Military Assistance Advisor Group, Iran, during the period November 1977 through October 1979. Major General Gast implemented United States Government policy toward Iran and directed one of the largest and most complex military sales programs in United States history. He provided leadership to the American military community under the most trying conditions of disorder and revolution and conducted a personal effort to reestablish an effective relationship with the post-revolutionary Iranian Armed Forces. Major General Gast’s distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.

The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), United States Air Force, 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, Defense Security Assistance Agency, Office of the Secretary of Defense, from August 1982 to August 1987. Lieutenant General Gast demonstrated the highest quality and finest combination of military professionalism, political sensitivity, negotiating skills and selfless devotion to duty in dealing with complex national and international security issues of the greatest importance to the foreign policy and national security of the United States. He directed the planning and execution of the complex and politically sensitive multi-billion dollar security assistance program with vigor, imagination, and integrity of the highest order. Lieutenant General Gast was dedicated in his constant efforts to advance the policies of the United States through his conduct of security assistance programs. His outstanding work with congress in clearly and persuasively articulating the Administration’s proposals for security assistance legislation is especially noteworthy and has brought the highest personal respect for him from Members of Congress. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Gast culminate a distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Philip C. Gast (AFSN: FR-45244), United States Air Force, 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 for Operations, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, from July 1980 through June 1982. In this important assignment, Lieutenant General Gast contributed directly to the development and coordination of essential national policy decisions, the readiness of United States Forces, and overall management of highly complex operational matters. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Gast reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.