The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to General Wallace Martin Greene, Jr. (MCSN: 0-4539), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while serving as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Marine Corps, from 1 January 1960 to 1 December 1963. With outstanding personal ability and an unusual degree of stamina, drive and perseverance, General Greene eminently successful in discharging the important and complex duties of the staff. Through his unusual initiative and tireless dedication to duty, he directed the conduct of the multiple staff divisions. He was able to develop a warm relationship between the military and civilian staff members at Headquarters Marine Corps. Continually exhibiting a comprehensive perception of the intricate aspects of Inter-Service matters, he has been directly responsible for maintaining a solid relationship for the Marine Corps, Department of Defense, and with other Government offices. By his skillful and dynamic leadership, vision and understanding of Marine Corps operations and administration, he has enhanced the military posture of the United States. General Greene’s inspirational and distinguished service reflects the highest credit upon himself, his Corps, and the United States Naval Service.

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to General Wallace Martin Greene, Jr. (MCSN: 0-4539), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States while serving as Commandant of the Marine Corps from 1 January 1964 to 31 December 1967. Tireless, imaginative, far seeing, and fiercely dedicated to the enduring purposes of the Nation, General Greene consistently demonstrated preeminent leadership qualities as the Marine Corps met successfully its worldwide military commitments while concurrently implementing new and progressive management programs and techniques that have made it a model of military efficiency and economy. Under General Greene’s inspiring guidance and dynamic leadership, the Marine Corps reached a level of unsurpassed combat readiness and managerial efficiency during a period of worldwide tensions, conflicts and challenges to the national security of the United States. Under his supervision, the Marine Corps was substantially increased in size, and committed half of its combat forces to the defense of freedom in the Republic of Vietnam. Believing in the supreme worth of the individual, he consistently concerned himself with the individual well-being of not only the men and women for whom he was responsible, but also with the welfare and peace of mind of their dependents and parents. His advice on national security matters was invariably wise and respected. A rare mixture of compassion and strong determination, he earned the deep loyalty, profound respect and great admiration of all with whom he served–Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen, statesmen, government leaders and civil servants alike. By his strong character and unimpeachable integrity, he has maintained the high standards of the Marine Corps and added new achievements to its illustrious history. General Greene’s distinguished service to the United States during more than forty-one years of devoted duty reflects the highest credit upon himself, the Naval Service and his country.