(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Major General Alfred Maximilian Gruenther (ASN: 0-12242), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Alfred Maximilian Gruenther (ASN: 0-12242), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility in North Africa in 1942 and 1943. From the initial planning for the landings in North Africa until his appointment as Chief of Staff, Fifth Army, General Gruenther served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Allied Force Headquarters. He displayed ability to cope with great masses of detail and preserved an unruffled calm in the face of exceptional difficulties. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Gruenther reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.