The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Michael J. Byron (MCSN: 0-88284), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally distinguished service as Vice Director for Strategic Plans and Policy, the Joint Staff, from January 1995 to August 1997. Throughout this dynamic period, General Byron, more than any other officer of his grade, played a pivotal role providing vital, timely, military advice to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the National Command Authority on crucial issues directly affecting national security. His extraordinary vision and leadership, coupled with his keen grasp of both national and international security structures, allowed General Byron to forge the way on such landmark issues as development of the National Military Strategy, NATO Enlargement, ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention, conception and development of the African Crisis Response Initiative, and Joint Staff support for the President’s anti-personnel landmine policy. Time and again, General Byron was entrusted as the sole representative for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff at critical senior-level Interagency meetings, where he deftly articulated military positions and ensured equities were protected. He was also chosen to act as a trusted advisor in such delicate activities as the shaping of policy and force options in Haiti and Bosnia. The distinctive accomplishments of Major General Byron reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Joint Staff.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Silver Star
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Defense Superior Service Medal
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant General Michael J. Byron, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Byron reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
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Silver Star
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
First LieutenantBatallion:
1st BattalionRegiment:
3d MarinesDivision:
3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMFAction Date:
July 1, 1965
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Michael J. Byron (MCSN: 0-88284), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a Platoon Leader with Company A, First Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division (Rein.), FMF, in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam on 1 July 1965. While moving to an ambush site during the hours of darkness, the reinforced squad-size patrol suffered heavy casualties from the detonation of an enemy mine. Although injured himself, First Lieutenant Byron refused medical aid until all of his wounded men were treated. Attempted helicopter evacuation was driven off by extremely accurate and intense enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. With half of his small force having become casualties and realizing the precarious situation he faced, First Lieutenant Byron called for and personally directed the reinforcement of his unit by the remainder of the platoon and other elements of the company. For over two hours, in spite of a disabling wound, he skillfully directed three separate units through terrain occupied by enemy ambush forces, successfully joining these units and subsequently withdrawing his forces to a safe area without incurring further casualties. Having seen to the evacuation of his dead and wounded men, First Lieutenant Byron remained with his men until ordered to be evacuated. By his daring actions and loyal devotion to duty in the face of personal risk, First Lieutenant Byron upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Defense Superior Service Medal
Under the provisions of Department of Defense 1348.33-M, the Secretary of Defense has awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Superior Service Medal to Lieutenant General Michael J. Byron, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally superior service to the Department of Defense. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Byron reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
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Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Michael J. Byron, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. The distinctive accomplishments of Lieutenant General Byron reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.
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Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
Lieutenant GeneralAction Date:
September 1997 – May 2001
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Michael J. Byron (MCSN: 0-88284), 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 consecutively as the United States Military Representative and then as the Deputy Chairman to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Military Committee, Brussels, Belgium from September 1997 to May 2001. Lieutenant General Byron’s dynamic leadership and professionalism played a critically key role in the process of transforming NATO into an Alliance for the 21st Century. He was the military lead for the integration of three new members into the NATO Headquarters military structure and process. Furthermore, Lieutenant General Byron’s actions were instrumental in establishing the framework for cooperation with the Euro Atlantic Partnership Council, with NATO-Russian relations and with the internal reform of the NATO command structures. He personally participated in or chaired over 350 formal Military Committee meetings during his tenure and served as the military representative for some 500 plus meetings of the North Atlantic Council and its subordinate political committees. During the extended operations in the Balkans, to include the first-ever offensive actions by the Alliance, Lieutenant General Byron served as the primary military advisor for two Chairmen of the Military Committee and two NATO Secretaries General on U.S. unique capabilities and intelligence. Most importantly, he was the sole military representative on the Secretary General’s special steering group during the Kosovo War. By his distinctive accomplishments, unrelenting perseverance, and steadfast devotion to duty, Lieutenant General Byron reflected great credit upon himself and the Marine Corps and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Marine CorpsRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 1982 – June 1985
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Colonel Michael J. Byron (MCSN: 0-88284), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Plans Officer and, subsequently, as Branch Head, Western Regional Branch, Plans Division, Plans, Policies and Operations Department, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps from June 1982 to June 1985. During this period, Colonel Byron was the focal point for the conception and implementation of numerous plans and initiatives of vital importance to the Marine Corps and to the security interests of the Nation. His personal involvement and influences had a positive and major impact on the definition and development of a cohesive, overarching Joint Chiefs of Staff strategy for Central Americal. Colonel Byron’s reputation as a conceptual innovator, author, and planner marked him as an expert in regional policy formulation, strategy development, and contingency planning. His remarkable grasp of intelligence functions, penetrating regional insights, and exceptional ability to articulate his position often provided the necessary catalyst, during formulation of National Security Decision Directives, to mold divisive federal agency and departmental opinions into coherent actions, supportable plans and policies, and successful military and intelligence operations. His salient contributions immeasurably enhanced Marine Corps prestige, participation, and influence on regional issues in the Joint and Interagency arenas. By his distinctive accomplishments, sound judgment, and selfless devotion to duty, Colonel Byron reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.