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 General John A. Gordon, United States Air Force, 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, as Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1997 to 2004. The distinctive accomplishments of General Gordon reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Air Force, and the Department of Defense.