The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Harry Oliver Amos, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States while assigned to the Far East Pacific Division, Operations Directorate, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff or Military Operations, Headquarters, Department of the Army, during the period September 1966 to June 1968. In a key position as a General Staff Officer and Branch Chief successively of the Plans Branchy of the Far East and Pacific Division and later of the Operations Branch of the same division, Colonel Amos was responsible for a wide variety of important staff actions during the rapid build-up of United States forces in Southeast Asia and ensuing periods of tension in Korea and South Vietnam. As Chief of the Plans Branch he had the primary responsibility for the review of Pacific Command and other war plans and was the principal point of contact in Office, Deputy Chief of Staff for Military operations for many plans and studies of great importance to the Southeast Asia build-up and military operations in the Far East. In this capacity he continually displayed the highest degree of initiative, foresight, thoroughness, attention to detail, and professional judgment in handling both joint and unilateral staff actions. Colonel Amos’ thorough knowledge of national policy and strategy, plus his detailed and meticulous research, allowed him to revise and update a compilation of Joint Chiefs of Staff actions relating to concepts, strategy, policy, and force requirements for Southeast Asia, principally Vietnam. Colonel Amos’ penetrating logic, incisive mind and the outstanding initiative which he displayed in the solution of numerous and diverse staff problems, all have earned him the respect, confidence and admiration of his superiors and contemporaries. He has made an invaluable contribution to the Army Staff and to the national effort. His record of outstanding service was in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflects great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Colonel Harry Oliver Amos, Jr., United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States during the period June 1968 to July 1969 while serving as Province Senior Advisor, Dinh Tuong Province, Republic of Vietnam. During that period, Colonel Amos effectively coordinated the activities of over 200 civilian and military advisors in a province of over 600,000 people. Due to his dynamic leadership and comprehensive knowledge of the pacification effort in the province, he was able to successfully focus the joint efforts of many individuals and staff sections on the problems and challenges of pacification. His imaginative and dedicated performance as advisor, leader and operator/manager touched all aspects of the successful military and pacification efforts in this national priority province. In a war in which tangible results are often difficult to measure, Colonel Amos produced visible achievements and thereby generated confidence in the pacification effort in all with whom he served. Colonel Amos’ professional competence and outstanding achievement were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.