The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General John C. Griffith, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Griffith distinguished himself as Vice Commander, Air Education and Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, from 18 June 1995 to 31 March 1998. During this period, General Griffith provided the leadership for numerous programs that enhanced the world’s largest education and training organization. He was the driving force behind the integration of Air Force Reserve Instructor Pilots into active duty pilot training programs, a key factor in the equation to effectively use a critical Air Force resource. He oversaw the integration of Headquarters, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and officer Training School into a streamlined organization with the flexibility to consistently meet officer production requirements. His insightful direction led to the development of the Air and Space Basic Course at Maxwell Air Force Base. A true champion of enlisted training, General Griffith directed changes at Basic Military Training to include the field exercise which introduces recruits to the realities of our current Air Expeditionary Force concepts. He led the charge in outsourcing and privatization efforts, resulting in Air Education and Training Command being recognized as the leader in the Air Force. General Griffith’s leadership in all facets of education and training programs has prepared Air Force people for the twenty-first century. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Griffith culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Major General John C. Griffith, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Griffith distinguished himself as Commander, Keesler Training Center; Commander, Second Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, and Commander, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, United States Central Command, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from 29 April 1992 to 13 June 1995. During this period, General Griffith’s dynamic leadership was a key factor in keeping Keesler Training Center and Second Air Force at the forefront of Chief of Staff of the Air Force Year of Training initiatives by making 7-level training a reality. He aggressively led the transfer of joint weather school and joint instrumentation and metrology training, two major courses from bases identified to close as a result of Base Realignment and Closure decisions. As Commander, Joint Task Force Southwest Asia, he negotiated several host nation agreements with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain regarding use of airspace, forward deploying A-10 aircraft, tanker overflight procedures, and joint/coalition use of reconnaissance assets. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Griffith reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.