The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Joseph J. Cappucci, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Director of Special Investigations, Office of the Inspector General, Headquarters United States Air Force, and as Commander, 1005th Special Investigations Group, from 8 June 1964 to 31 August 1967. In these important assignments General Cappucci’s exceptional managerial skill, leadership, foresight, and initiative have enabled him to provide invaluable contributions to the strength of our Armed Forces and the security of our nation. His profound knowledge and dedicated leadership were responsible for the formation of a highly effective counterespionage program in the United States Air Force. In conjunction with the Vietnamese Government, General Cappucci directed the establishment of an Area Source Program which develops advance information relative to attacks on air bases in Vietnam. His guidance and concern have produced a vastly more effective intelligence structure within the United States Air Force responsive to both peace and war. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Cappucci and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Sponsored by:
Awards Received
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
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Legion of Merit
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Legion of Merit
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Air Force Distinguished Service Medal
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Brigadier GeneralRegiment:
1005th Special Investigations GroupAction Date:
September 2, 1967 – March 31, 1972
Department of the Air Force, Special Order GB-161 (March 24, 1972)The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Joseph J. Cappucci, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States. General Cappucci distinguished himself as Director of Special Investigations, Office of the Inspector General, Headquarters, United States Air Force, and as Commander, Air Force Office of Special Investigations, from 2 September 1967 to 31 March 1972. In these demanding assignments, General Cappucci exercised exceptionally effective managerial skill, leadership, foresight, and initiative, enabling him to make incalculable contributions to the security of our Armed Forces and the strength of our Nation. His leadership gave impetus to a program which trained the personal security staffs of the heads of state of six friendly foreign nations. During this period, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations has provided Air Force commanders with superior criminal, counter-intelligence, and fraud investigative support, and has become the model for other military investigative agencies. His support of the effort in Southeast Asia through counter-intelligence and criminal investigative coverage was as effective as it was imaginable. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Cappucci and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
Lieutenant ColonelAction Date:
February 1, 1952 – August 11, 1955
Department of the Air Force, General Orders No. 92 (November 7, 1955)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 Lieutenant Colonel Joseph J. Cappucci, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief, Counter Intelligence Division, Directorate of Special Investigations, U.S. Air Forces Europe, during the period 1 February 1952 to 11 August 1955. He demonstrated extraordinary judgment and intelligence, outstanding creative initiative, and exceptional devotion to duty in promulgating a vigorous and dynamic counter intelligence program throughout all U.S. Air Forces Europe areas of interest. He distinguished himself with an exemplary display of farsighted planning in initiating procedures and formal agreements as a member of various intelligence boards in Germany, France, and other areas in U.S. Air Forces Europe. Lieutenant Colonel Cappucci’s outstanding performance of service and exemplary devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
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Legion of Merit
Service:
United States Air ForceRank:
ColonelAction Date:
June 9, 1961 – December 31, 1962
Department of the Air Force, Special Order G-64 (May 31, 1963)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 Joseph J. Cappucci, United States Air Force, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Director of Special Investigations, Inspector General, PACIFIC Air Forces, from 9 June 1961 to 31 December 1962. In this important assignment, through his outstanding leadership, diplomacy, and personal endeavor, Colonel Cappucci has contributed immeasurably to the security of the United States and greatly enhanced our national prestige abroad. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Cappucci and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.