The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Edward Joseph Bronars (MCSN: 0-50746), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from July 1969 to July 1971. During this period, Colonel Bronars was assigned as an Action Officer; Marine Corps Planner; and Assistant Head of the Joint Plans and Policy Team, of the Joint Planning Group Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Plans and Programs), Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. As an action officer and, subsequently as a Marine Corps Planner, Colonel Bronars formulated Marine Corps positions for use by the Commandant in his deliberations with the Joint Chiefs of Staff on strategy, force planning matters and all phases of the annual Planning, Programming and Budgeting cycle, including the development of the Joint Strategic Objectives Plan and the Joint Force Memorandum. In addition, in late 1969, he conducted an analysis and developed a new basis for determination of Marine Corps force requirements that resulted in the development of concepts, goals, and force levels which would ensure the best contribution of Marine Corps forces to a revised national military strategy. Further, Colonel Bronars provided the essential leadership in early 1971 in safeguarding the future of Navy Research and Development programs related to amphibious warfare by preparing and presenting the major portion of a Navy/Marine Corps presentation to a Defense Science Board Task Force. Colonel Bronars’ exemplary dedication, outstanding professional competence, and enthusiasm in performing his duties, coupled with the willingness with which he subordinated personal demands while discharging these tasks, have been instrumental in ensuring that the best interests of the Service and of the nation have been served. By his distinguished accomplishments throughout this period, he reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.