The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit to Brigadier General Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Director for Operations, J-3, Operations Directorate, Headquarters, United States European Command. In this important assignment, the forceful leadership and outstanding judgment of Brigadier General Brown were the principal factors in the improvement and correction of critical management and training techniques and practices necessary to achieve a realistic combat readiness capability of certain United States and North Atlantic Treat Organization (NATO) Forces. Brigadier General Brown played a leading role in the development and formulation of a viable operations security program within the United States Forces in Europe, and in the establishment of a coordinated NATO unconventional warfare effort. He was instrumental in obtaining the release of ROCKEYE II munitions to NATO nations, thereby enhancing the implementation of current NATO strategy and furthering United States policy of encouraging European nations to assume a greater share of NATO defense. These actions and many others of equal importance have enhanced the military posture of the European Command and furthered the security interests of the United States. By his rare professional judgment, negotiating acumen, and deep understanding of complex military-political problems, Brigadier General Brown has made a major contribution to the successful accomplishment of the mission of the United States Armed Forces in Europe and has upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

(Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Brigadier General Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit to Major General Leslie Eugene Brown (MCSN: 0-19930), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific from April 1972 to April 1973. Taking command of the FIRST Marine Aircraft Wing during the initial stages of the top-priority and extremely rapid re-deployment of most of the Wing’s tactical assets into the combat environment of Southeast Asia, Major General Brown faced a task of seemingly insurmountable dimensions. His superb leadership and professional competence contributed essentially to the success of a series of incredibly complex and diverse combat and combat support operations which were fully responsive to the needs of the military services and governments of Free World forces fighting in Southeast Asia. In addition, Major General Brown made a significant contribution to the Marine Corps’ Human Affairs Program. By his exemplary performance of duty throughout, Major General Brown reflected great credit upon himself, the Marine Corps, and the United States Naval Service.